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Tags: dictionary arabic
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- He won't. If he does, come and have a laugh at my expense - he never keeps a promise. ?ibn ?uguul jjl one of good breeding (a person exhibiting good behaviour and manners, especially because of being brought up in a family that observes conscience, morals, etc.) Her politeness shows that she is a woman of good breeding. ?ibn ilhalaal Mr Right (the imagined man who will fulfil all a woman's desires and needs as a husband) The most unrealistic thing about Egyptian movies is that the heroine always marries Mr Right. ?ibn balad a nice fellow (one embodying the good qualities of the traditional classes) George's a nice fellow - he's always ready to help. ?ibn hazz jjj' a happy-go-lucky (a person who enjoys himself, takes things easily as they come, and trusts to luck) He's certainly a happy-go-lucky - he enjoys himself a lot and never worries about tomorrow. ?ibn halaal a good/decent sort (a likeable person) Tim's a good sort, the kind who always knows how to make you smile when you're feeling bad. ?ibn sa^tu ^1 a man of whims a person who is usualy driven by a sudden fancy or notion; by a freakish or capricious ?abrad min may-yii tuuba j* bj>\ thoroughly unlikeable (not having qualities that win good will or friendship; unpopular; disagreeable) Tim is a thoroughly unlikeable boy - all the girls in the class stay away from him. ?abrak min ... ... J* more nourishing/useful than ... A bowl of green salad is more nourishing than all the junk food you're eating. (s^ J**) ' у/ ? ib^idu tib?u £asal ?ar-rabu tib?u basal familiarity breeds contempt [saying] (a long and close relationship, especially between two people, causes feelings of scorn and dislike to develop) I know you and the boss are very good friends, but you'd better not stick to him all the time, because as you know familiarity breeds contempt. ?ab?a hmaar I’m a Dutchman (I am not what I am: used after a clause beginning with if to indicate the speaker's belief that the facts, opinions, etc., stated in the /Т-clause are wrong) That's not a diamond! If that's a diamond, I'm a Dutchman. ?ib?a ?abilni 1 come and have a laugh at my expense! (used to emphasize the speaker's belief that something will not happen) - Bill's going to lend me the money.
(used when something is near or immediately in front of a person and he does not notice it and sometimes goes to look for it somewhere else) Look, Sam's looking for the book he was just reading - it's right under his nose and he can't find it. »» >c ?abul^ur-reef J»' know all the answers (to be conceitedly conscious of one's own knowledge) She thinks she knows all the answers and doesn't respect anybody eIse's opinion. ?abu hmaard a country cousin (a person from the country whose manners, etc., are simple compared to those of people living in towns) And even that country cousin has suddenly become a mechanic and started giving me instructions - loosen this nail, tighten that one. ?abu £ali (^ar-rawm) Jf* (the) cock of the walk (a person who has the most control, power, or influence, especially when he is very proud of this) He thinks he is (the) cock of the walk because he was captain of the village football team. ?abu lamas as touchy as hell (very over-sensitive, bad tempered, angry, grumpy) Don't try to tease him— he's as touchy as hell. • • •* * ?abu muxx tiXiin (zini£) (£j) У a pig-headed jerk (a stupidly obstinate or stubborn person) Don't be a pig-headed jerk; If you try to cheat you'll get caught. ?abii£ miss ^umri would give one’s right arm idea or desire) I know he's a man of whims, so don't depend on him in a serious matter like this. ?ibn sit-tiin fisab^iin J*' ['sit-tiin' (sixty) is an intensifier used in curses and insults. The literal meaning of the idiom is "son of a bitch (sixty times multiplied by seventy times over)"] son of a bitch (an insult) You son of a bitch, how dare you play around with my daughter! ?ibn suu? ^1 a born businessman (a businessman by nature) Most people from Damietta* are born businessmen *a town on the northern coast of Egypt where the eastern branch of the Nile joins the sea. ?ibn c/vrab yh a stalwart fellow (a valiant, steadfast, modest, loyal person) He's a stalwart fellow who reminds you of those knights in folk epics. ?ibn kaar made for the job (a person who is naturally gifted or prepared to perform a certain job efficiently; skillfully, etc.) Adam is the best mechanic in town - he's made for the job. ?ibn nukta ^1 jokester (a person fond of telling or hearing jokes) Every time he tells a joke he sends his friends into a frenzy of laughter - he's a real jokester. ?ibnu J**) <4^ *4* £ala kitfu wibiyd</w-w</r ^alee right under someone’s nose and he can’t find it
3 о Ujl ‘ill и ?it?afaj min ?afaa olfli j*^3' have one’s collar felt (of a criminal or person suspected of a crime: to be arrested) The man had had his collar felt so often that he knew all the policemen in the area. - i » ,• ?it?al ^ar-ruzz ! J^3' easy does it! (not so fast; take your time; be careful) - / want to get this job done now. - Easy does it! Wait till tomorrow. ?at?al milhamm ^al?alb s-JaJ' £ ^1' more than can be tolerated (something which cannot be endured or suffered) A month's stay with us is more than can be tolerated; he'll have to look for another place. i , a >• * ,• ?itlamm >(*^’ ilmat^uus £ala /ayb ir-raga one bad lot on top of another (a useless, bad, or lazy person in addition to another) - Here comes John - he's going to help Greg with the assignment. - It's one bad lot on top of another, This assignment won't get done at all. ?itlamm %ala nafsu «aj collect oneself (to be in full control of one's emotions) The movie was a real horror. I still can't collect myself. • 9 x X • ?itmasak mutalab-bis caught red-handed/in the act (to be discovered or seized while doing something forbidden, unlawful, etc., or just after it has been done) [refers to a person whose hands are still covered with blood] The thief was caught red-handed as he came out of the bank carrying a large bag of money. (to be willing to give up something of great value or importance to oneself in order to do or obtain something) He would have given his right arm for such a chance. ?itbaa^ fi?ala ?oona « Ujl go under the hammer (to be for sale in an auction) [a wooden hammer is struck against a block of wood in an auction to signal that an object has been sold] A very nice set of old glasses went under the hammer yesterday morning. ?it-ho/ar li ... stand up for someone; put in a good word for someone. (to take the part of; support; defend) I had to stand up for Al - he's my best friend. ?it/c/bdt fi£,a?lu «йдА u) JxAJl get off one’s rocker (mad; out of one's senses) My wife's got off her rocker; she's been spending all her money on make-up kits. badri be cut off in one’s prime (to die when one is still too young) Poor thing! She was cut off in her prime. ?itsadd wiskut ! -Uu' shut your trap! (shut your mouth) Shut your trap, or do you want me to call the police? ?ityad-da bi ...?abl mayit£aj-/a bii steal a march on someone. (to gain an advantage over someone by doing some earlier action than expected) The government had intended to limit the wage increase, but several trade unions stole a march on them by receiving very large increases before the new law came into existence.
(jJalw') Jakj' malodorous or whose mouth smells the sharp odour of raw onions and thus no-one is willing to bring himself near her] I’m at loss to know how to please you! (said to someone who is hard to please) I bought you and the children everything you asked for, still you look upset. I'm at loss to know how to please you! ?ihsaasi mayikdibj V» feel it in one’s bones (to suspect something strongly; have a suspicion that is not based on facts but feelings) I knew she would marry my son. I felt it in my bones. ?ahsan bimaraahil J— streets ahead (far better than something or someone) The writer's new book is streets ahead of his last one. ° 9 ' 9 Л ?ahsan tik-kibis J***d (of a newly-married woman: to be brought to sterility) [from the Egyptian folk belief that well-wishers should not take a new-born baby in their company when paying their first visit to a newly-married woman since the sight of the baby might turn her sterile] lest one should be jinxed (to be brought to bad luck) ?ihft/z markazak ! JjTy» кд?-1 watch your step ! (be very careful not to make a mistake, not to offend someone, etc.) What do you mean by dashing into my office and talking to me like this. Watch your step ! ?ihna bini?rrz V 'yk lid fisuurit ^abas how many times do I have to say it? (said to someone after trying several times to make him understand something) Yes, it's Mr. Gibson, G-l-B-S-O-N, how many ?itD01-itrt (jkijl) kkjl (?itmanz£zr) £,ala ... lord it over someone. (of a man: to behave in a proud and commanding manner towards a person; rule over a person like a lord) Since he won first prize for his painting, he has lorded it over the other fellows in his class. ?itnczt-t^/tit (Ojblftjl) ckkul (?itmtmzflrit) £ala... queen it over someone. (of a woman: to behave in a proud and commanding manner towards a person; rule over a person like a queen) When her husband became director of his own company she lost many of her friends because she started to queen it over them. • i > . * - • ?it-haff fimux-xu go potty; go nuts; go bananas (to go crazy) Look, Mrs. Simpson is wearing a raincoat in July; she must've gone potty. ?agsaam biyaal J$ Jl* fl-id wi£?uul all brawn and no brain (of a person who is physically well-built, but not functioning very well, mentally speaking) [brawn is firm, strong muscles] We can’t put him on the team. He's all brawn and on brain, but football requires brain as well as brawn. ?aghal min daab-ba dumber than an ox (slow in understanding; stupid; dull) He's always been blamed for acting foolishly - he must be dumber than an ox. ?iht</rl ya ba^ra !jr^ b О ?abuusik mineen [in the literal Egyptian-Arabic translation I don't know where to kiss you, ba'/ra, the word ba%ra is a woman whose breath is
UJ >' k/i' 5 ?a%laa?u boazit cJ?l» aW>' go to the dogs (to be no longer of good quality, character, etc.) He's gone to the dogs. He smokes and drinks so much. ?id-da il?ujt muftaah j'* li* ЛадЛ ilktfiwr appoint the fox to guard the chickens (to assign the wrong person to do a particular job, especially one who is going to do the opposite of what ought to be done) Are you going to hire that fellow in the accounting department? He's been known for dishonesty for years, so if you do, it'll be like appointing the fox to guard the chickens. ?id-dab-bis hit-tit tadbiisa 4— be put on the spot (to be put in a difficult or dangerous situation; in trouble) After signing the contract I found out that I had very little money left, so I was really put on the spot. ?id£i ii ... OU*} keep one’s fingers crossed for someone (to wish or hope deeply for success, good luck, etc., especially by crossing two fingers next to each other on the same hand as a physical sign of this) I'm going for my new job. Keep your fingers crossed for me! ?id-dahwil £ala Jjeenu J j*-5' fall head over heels (to become completely or deeply in love) The best thing to keep a man busy is to fall head over heels with the right girl. ?aadi ?a%rit-ha this is the upshot (the final and most severe of a series of difficulties) [refers to the last shot in an archery match] times do I have to say it? Go and tell him about the agenda for the next meeting. ?a/ad ... ziiru jjj j < 4 «ЬМ go for a spin (to go for a rapid drive or ride) He went for a spin in his father's car. ?a/ad ... fiS=ib-bu have someone under one’s thumb (to have someone under control or influence) If you let him feel you are afraid, he'll have you under his thumb for ever. ?a/ad ... wij-jeen give someone a row (to scold) He gave his son a row for coming home late every night. ?axrit ilmatam-ma 5^1 add insult to injury (to cause offence to someone after one has already caused harm to him in some other way) He said when she arrived that he wished she had never come, and added insult to injury by refusing to speak to her for the rest of her visit. ?i/zi if-Jitaan ! OUa-JiJl spite the Devil! (resist the temptation) Don't hit him - spite the Devil! He is very strong. ?iXz> il^een ! don’t tempt the evil eye! (don't disclose news of your success, happiness, etc. lest you should be subject to the power that some people are supposed to have of causing harm or bringing bad luck to others by looking at them) - My luck was fantastic today. - Shush, don't tempt the evil eye!
6 ?id-di... matirht/muuj ! J*J U JMi let someone have it! (don't have mercy on someone; let someone suffer because he can be no longer tolerated) He's been rude to everyone in the office, so let him have it. ?adiik ?ultaha ! dJjLJ ЦаЬ dJbol bi^/dmitlisaanak you said it! (used to express strong agreement with a statement just made) - I thought the translation we had to do today was very difficult. - You said it! ?id-diini £a?Iak ! picture it for yourself! (to form a picture of something in one's mind; just imagine!) Picture it for yourself! I've spent every penny on him and now he wants to leave me all alone. What shall I do? Shall I let him go? You tell me. ?r/rd</l-Iaa was£a there’s plenty of opportunity elsewhere If you can't earn a living here, there's plenty of opportunity elsewhere. ?ur?uslil?ird Jb) оjaU fidawlitu curry favour with authority (to try to gain the approval or favour of a person in authority by behaving too politely towards him or flattering him, especially insincerely) Those opinions of yours will drive you to jail - you'd better curry favour with these people. ?irmi bayoadrzk ! XUpL cross my palm/hand with silver! (to give money to a person, especially a fortuneteller who has a desirable piece of information to tell) Cross my palm with silver and I'll tell you something you'll be pleased to hear. He has always been rude to me, but this time he walked right past me without speaking. This is the upshot, I'll never speak to him again. ?aadi Jb) Xixjl upb ig-gamal waadi in-na^la call someone’s bluff (to make someone prove whether something that he says or pretends to be true is really true) [from Poker (a card game): to bluff is pretend to have cards of greater value than one really has] Mike had often said he could swim 3 miles, so we took him to the sea and decided to call his bluff and make him prove it. ?aadi zamaan ilbidingaan jbuAJi jUj it’s the silly season (a period of time when there is little sense or reason, and therefore most people find themselves obliged to cope with what is fashionable whether they like it or not) - Good TV programmes are rare these days. - It's the silly season, you know. ?id-da ... istimaara ajUs-J sit-ta give someone the pink slip (a notice of dismissal from one's job) I think Mr. Brown will give me the pink slip today; I had a big fight with him yesterday. ?id-da...duJJ Jib give someone a sound scolding (to blame someone with angry words) My brother gave me a sound scolding for breaking his glasses. ?id-da...£ala j hc/ntuur^eenu give someone a real shiner (to hit someone on the eye so that he sees sudden flashes of light) He's not going to annoy you any more - I gave him a real shiner this morning.
this problem, for the saying goes God helps those who help themselves. ?ism£/l-la ^ala £a?lak ! <dJl use your loaf! (use your common sense; be sensible; think clearly) Use your loaf! You've messed up everything by nudging us and spilling our drinks. ?ismfll-lfl ^ala ... »' may God bless someone’s (little) heart (an invocation of divine protection) How's your son, may God bless his young heart. ?ism«l-k/ ^alama?aamak aJJ) ^1 begging your pardon; no offence intended (often prefaces a contradiction, objection or mention of any mundane or lowly object) Well, you have seen the kitchen and the bedroom. Now perhaps, begging your pardon, you’d like to see the bathroom. ?ism S,ala musam-ma it--' a fitting name (a name whose meaning happens to suit the nature, the character or mood of the person bearing it) Artful Dodger* is such a fitting name in OLIVER TWIST. *dodger is a shifty or dishonest person. ?ismu ?ee da ajI -u—»l how’s your father (used to refer to something that one has forgotten the name of or does not want to mention by name) The vice police caught two boys and two girls in that garden next to your house. They said there was a lot of how's your father going on there. ?i/ba£; biiha to hell with you and ... ?iz-zayy ...^alahis-sak ? ... how did you find...? How did you find Alexandria? I haven't been there for quite a while. I really miss it. • » # t ?uss ilmasaayib the villain of the piece (the person or thing that is guilty or responsible for something bad or harmful) The boys in the class are always getting in trouble and the teacher says that Philip is the villain of the piece. ?is?alni ana bl I know it only too well (said be a person with pretensions to complete knowledge or infallible experience) - О my, How she hates men! - Hates them? It's just an act. I know it only too well. You know, she got married several times. ?ista£wfld aI-Iaa (laj) (глЬ-Ыпл) write something off as a dead loss (to have no hope of regaining someone or something because he/it is bad, boring, ineffective, lost, dead, etc.) The police told him that his car had been found completely smashed, so he wrote it off as a dead loss. ?istala?-?a wa^dak ! you’ll cop/catch it! (you'll be punished or scolded) You'll cop it when you get home because you're so late. ?is£a Js*)Ulj А-P b • I ya£abd wana as^a mi£aak God helps those who help themselves [saying] (people who wish for good luck and God's help in gaining what they want must first make an effort themselves) Stop cursing yourself for a fool and do something about getting yourself out of
that they run to help or do something for one) Wallis now had only to crook her little finger and almost anyone would come to her. j£») к-*-*)' I* dlJb Ь» e) ?isrif maafi ilgeeb ya?tiik maafi ilyeeb tomorrow will take care of itself [saying] (don't worry about your present financial situation because there will be other days, on which a new start can be made) - I've already spent my last penny on the new flat. - Don't worry, tomorrow will take care of itself. ?dd^af il?iimaan the least one can do The least you can do is phone him instead of making up silly excuses. ?itbu%i ya garya kal-lif ya siidi he who calls the tune must pay the piper [saying] (the person who claims a right to ask for something, or to control how something is used, has to pay for it) - Why don't you make us a stuffed turkey for dinner? - Well, you pay the piper. ?itta£ min nafuu/i get off my back (leave me alone; stop annoying or arguing with me) Why don't you get off my back and let me do my work. ?i^raf /akiastfk look to your own ends (bear the consequences of your own actions, and try to find yourself a way out) You were too young to get married, so don't complain but look to your own ends. (I, we, etc., do not care about the thing or the person mentioned) You've promised me this room for my office several times; if you don't give it to me now, to hell with you and the room. * ' • • '• t. • * ?ijtad-di ya Ji*) Ь ?azma tit-hal-li it’s darkest before the dawn [saying] (the worse a crisis the closer it is to be relieved) -1 graduated four years ago, and I still can't find a job. - Everything'll be O.K., it's darkest before the dawn. ?ijtara it-turm««y buy the Brooklyn bridge (of a gullible person: to be taken advantage of) The two gentlemen in the white car have just bought the Brooklyn bridge; the woman in the blue skirt sold them a cat for two thousand pounds, can you believe that? ?i/tara samak filmrty-ya buy a pig in a poke (to purchase something without first having an opportunity to judge its value or all the relevant facts) - We'll take it now. - But you mustn't buy a pig in a poke. You might not like it. Vijtayal fil-lazra? J*^' play dirty (to behave offensively or carelessly in order to cause harm or trouble to someone) Aren't you going to stop playing dirty with me, because if you don't. I'll have to tell the boss. ?af-far bisbwn^u jA\ crook one’s little finger (to bend one's finger in order to attract the attention of another person, especially so
9 J C-ljl fl j Да! I ' humorously, when the speaker does not approve of a verbal reward, an apology, etc., he has just received) - You've done a very good job, thank you! - What a fat lot of good that does me! I want money not sweet words. 'Icflrat, winuzahi У' a beggar with a Havana (of one who is needy but always dressed up) [Havana is a brand of the finest and most expensive cigars in the world) - Have you seen Bob's new tie? - New tie? A real beggar with a Havana. Yesterday he was asking everybody for money! draa^i I’ll eat my hat (I'm sure: used to emphasize the speaker's belief that a fact, statement, etc., is true, or that something will happen as stated) If it wasn't your brother who stole it, I'll eat my hat. ?u£-£udu bil^afya ! IjJaSI keep well! (said to or by someone on parting) - I should be thinking of leaving now, keep well! - I hope you enjoyed the evening, take care! ?akUzr milhanim ^al'.’alb s-idJl a drug on the market (something that is plentiful, especially because nobody wants to have or buy it) After reducing the customs duty on small cars, they may well become a drug on the market. jt/OO 0^0 £ Л о Js*) Ц*' J vlk; SjAaJI ?ikfi il?idra ^ala fum-maha ilbint lum-maha like mother like daughter [saying] (of a daughter: to be very much like her mother in character) it-hara?it ciyxj' 4jLap' one’s tempers are frazzled (to tire out; weary) I had a fight with the boss this morning, so when I got home from work my tempers were frazzled. IciEguabu btftfzit C-bU one’s nerves go to pieces (to become confused; break down mentally) I couldn't bear to stay longer at the scene of the accident; my nerves went to pieces. Ча^ааЬи fital-laaga 4^-4» as cool as a cucumber (very calm, e.g. in a difficult situation) I know my daughter - she will be as cool as a cucumber. I know she would never panic or get excited. ?a£la mafxeelak ! Ь J*' irkabu do your damnedest/worst! (an outrageous response to a threat) - If you don't tell us where that money is ... - Hold it! Do your damnedest, you don't scare me. ?il?a^maal bin-niy-yaat it’s the thought that counts [saying] (the goodwill, or affection, that lies behind an action, gift, etc., is more important than the action itself) - / came down to help you, but I see you've already done it. -Never mind, it's the thought that counts. ?i£mil-lak him-ma ! put some guts into it! (hurry; try to do something faster) Put some guts into it! Dont't you want to go home; there's a big football match on TV this afternoon. ?afuk-kaha feen (mineen) ! what a fat lot of good that does me! (used sarcastically, and sometimes
?akl wim«r£t/ wi?il-lit swn^tz the life of Riley (a comfortable and happy life) Since he won the money in that competition, he's been living the life of Riley. ?aklik mineen ya brrl-ia ! лк» U jJATl I don’t know where to start! (said of something very attractive, appetizing, etc.) This roasted turkey looks very inviting; I don't know where to start! ?aal jad-daad alxi JT [the transliteration of the Egyptian-Arabic idiom, ?aal fad-daad, refers to the tribe of a hero of folk epic whose name is identical in pronunciation to any of a number of devices the purpose of which is to provide tension or traction (e.g. a splint, chain-adjustor, etc.) The connection between the literal equivalent and the idiomatic one seems to lie in the effort exerted by heavy hashish-smokers (usually in a gooza: the local hubble bubble) when dragging smoke out of the pipe] hashish-smokers Vilzam huduudak ! don’t overstep the mark! (don't go beyond permitted limits; don't do more than allowed) The moods of the others have probably been making you more determined, but don't overstep the mark! ?ilUz^ ?imdiiak *£5J2J' ik-kariima put your John Hancock (write your signature) [John Hancock was a wealthy New Englander who was president of the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The story goes that when he sat to sign the Declaration of Independence, he remarked You can say like mother like daughter, because she can never make up her mind about anything = her mother can never make up her mind either. ?akl geef JS*' a bread-and-butter job (something that provides a person with the simple things he needs to continue to live) If there's anything I hate it's teaching, but it's just a bread-and-butter job. ?il?akl J**) <3 jJrSh fif-Jab^aan yisczr/ra there’s no point in gilding the lily (to attempt to improve someone or something that is already attractive, especially in a manner that spoils the object's original worth or appearance) [the phrase has been changed from a speech in Shakespeare's play King John (before 1598): 'To gilde refined gold, to paint the lily,/... Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.' (Act 4, scene 2)] She was an attractive girl before she married, but then her husband bought her expensive clothes. What I can say to this is there's no point in gilding the lily. ?ak-kal... ilbdluuza AbJlJl JSTl do a snow job on someone (to overwhelm a person, especially to persuade him to do something by talking fast) He did a snow job on his father and made him sign a paper giving all his money to him. ?akl wibahla?a aaUxj » JJfi look a gift-horse in the mouth (to look for faults or other things to complain about in something that is freely offered) You may disapprove of the way your father obtained his money, but if he offers to pay for your education abroad it would be silly to look a gift horse in the mouth.
11 J / uijj uit - May she roast in hell, I've never liked her. ?al-laa yihiz-z^k ! гЛгл» aUI you make me laugh! (said to someone in appreciation of his entertaining company, especially when the speaker has been in a bad mood for sometime) You make me laugh! I've been in a very bad mood since I burned the food in the oven. ?я1-1ая yi%rib ^a?lak <-> you’re a riot (said to a very amusing or skillful person) You're a riot! Your performance was outstanding. ?al-ltzt7 yirhrzm ?ay-yaam OUj zamaan О for the good old days (often used by older people: a former time that, when remembered, seems better than the present in spite of improvements in science, etc.) My mother often says, 'O for the good old days,' but they sound like the bad old days to me. ?dl-ldt/hum-ma ! U i/ziik ya jtc/c/n get thee behind me, Satan! (said by someone who is trying to resist the temptation of doing something bad) Get thee behind me, Satan! If you keep talking like this, Terry, I don't know what I'm going to do next! • > » * m ?dl-k7«hum-ma ! tdw-wilik ya rooh give me strength! (I need more courage and patience to tolerate this! an expression of exasperation used when the speaker is annoyed by someone's stupidity) Haven't you even done that little job yet? Give me strength! that he would write his signature so large that King George could read it without his spectacles. The term John Hancock is now idiomatically used to mean a person's signature] Put your John Hancock on this memo. ?alf waraaha J^4) ?uluuf money breeds money [saying] (the first sum of money one makes is usually the hardest, but when invested properly it reproduces quickly) - He was only a small-time trader a few years ago! How come he's a millionaire now? - Yes, money breeds money. al-laahu ?a£lam aB' be anybody's guess! (of an event, result, etc.: to be uncertain) We know he had several enemies, but it's anybody's guess who actually killed him. ?<7l-ldwhu ilyani aUI it can be done without (to get along though not having the thing mentioned or implied) - Your application for the loan is being processed, but the interest rate has increased to 22 per cent, you know! - In that case, I don't want the loan; it can be done without. ?а\Лаа yigaazi Ju/t/nr/k you little devil! (said to a very able, clever, energetic, or reckless person) You little devil! How did you make them agree to sign the contract? ?а\-\аа yighini... w'iAi ♦лл may someone roast in hell (of an enemy: a curse expressing anger or annoyance because the person mentioned is believed by the speaker to have been a source of trouble) - Jane's already gone.
12 someone who is giving advice on how to do something and who is thought not to realize how difficult it is to do the thing) Easier said than done; my situation is different from yours. Had you tried it, you wouldn't have said such a thing. j£) Jjl ?il-li ^ala roasu bczt-hcz yihas-sis ^aleeha if the cap/shoe fits wear it [saying] (if the statement, remark, etc., about someone is true, then he must accept it: often shortened to if the cap fits) I didn't say that you were a fool, but if the cap fits = I think you are a fool. ?il-li fi?albu £ala 4JUJ Zb kJ lisaanu wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve (to allow other people to know what one is feeling; show one's emotions, e.g. one's love or hatred for someone) [from Shakespeare's Othello (1964). Iago: 'But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve/For daws to peck at...' (Act 1, scene 1)1 He never wears his heart on his sleeve; you sense his reserve, his secrecy, his self-control. A* ?il-li lu dr/hr mayindribj £ala bulnu he who has someone at his back comes to no harm (said of a person who always has someone present to give him support or protection) - But next time he must learn to be more careful. - He who has someone at his back comes to no harm; his father is a very influential man. >) f u Jjl ?il-li mayjufj milyurbdal yib?a a^ma there’s none so blind as those that will not see [saying] (there is even less hope of persuading someone who is able to understand ?tzl-lt7tzhum-ma la^traad God knows best (a formula used to disclaim any blasphemous intent in criticizing God's work) Did she have to die while having birth? God knows best. ?il-li itlasaS, mij-furba yinfux fizzabaadi once bitten, twice shy [saying] (if one has been cheated or deceived on one occasion by someone or something, one will be more careful when one meets that person or thing again, or should a similar occasion occur later) I'm not going to do this work for him; last time he didn't pay me - once bitten, twice shy. ?il-li xala?u xala? yceru о there are plenty of other fish in the sea [saying] (there are planty of other people for you to meet and things for you to do: often said to comfort a person who has lost a boyfriend or a girlfriend) Anyway, Sue wasn't the right girl for you - there are plenty of other fish in the sea. ?il-li saba? >) 'jL Jji ?akal in-naba? first come, first served; the early bird catches the worm [saying] (the person who arrives first will be dealt with first; the person who gets up early to work will be successful) - Were you able to get a ticket? - Yes, but I had to get up early and wait in a line; first come, first served. ?il-li j£) ^Jl £ ^1 ^albr/rr Jrratir (^aw-waam) easier said than done; it’s easy to talk big [saying] (it is easier to tell someone to do something than do it: used in answer to
J Д 1Л JL»u Jji 13 4^7^ Z £ J>4! ь thinking deeply and seriously) - Hey you, a penny for your thoughts! - Sorry, what were you saying? ?il-li yibuss Ji*) <7-*^ lifoo? yil^ab he who tries to keep up with the Joneses gets out of breath [saying] (he who competes with other people of a better social position will use up his financial resources, strength, etc., before gaining what he wants) I see they have applied for a loan to buy a house in the country he who tries to keep up with the Joneses gets out of breath. • J S f * il-li yihibb in-nabi 3ji yizu?? on one’s/its last legs (of a person, an organization, a piece of equipment or machinery close to ruin; about to stop operating) He's got a funny car that seems to be on its last legs; it never starts in the morning unless he gives it a push. J**) L ?il-li yihtaagu il beet yihrr/m ^ag-gaami^ charity begins at home [saying] (one's first care must be for one's family; one cannot care for others and neglect one's family) JU- Цл» C-a J* ?il-li yi^tiji min bint ^am-mu maygibf minha ^iyaal faint heart never won fair love [saying] (a timid or easily discouraged person won't get the best of anything in life) Don't give up; faint heart never won fair love, you know? О л f в £ ?il-li yi^iij yaama yijuuf well, you live and learn (used as an expression of surprise when one learns something new) I had no idea that she earned her living by something but refuses to do so than there is of persuading a person who has difficulty in understanding something: usually used to express one's annoyance at someone who sees only his own side in an argument and refuses to admit that there may be some truth in the opinions of others) ЧАгЛ u* 4^J ® ?il-li mayi?dar ^alhr/mra J**) wi^ali?ha yi^li min tari'.’b/ |hamra is a type of bay horse that is known for its appetite for fyilii?: special fodder made from broad beans, cotton seeds and hay] if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen [saying] (if the difficulties or tensions produced by important work prove too much for you, don't complain but get out and leave it to others) ?il-li mif ! 4-’jAl ^agbu yijrr/b milbt/hr if you don’t like it, lump it! (you'll have to accept a situation, decision, etc. without complaint whether you like it or not) We can't afford any bonus this year, and if you don't like it, lump it! J**) jU"’ t ?il-li maktuub ^ag-gibiin laazim tijuufu il^een what must be must be [saying] (what is believed to be determined beforehand will happen in spite of all later efforts to change or prevent it) He struggled hard to save her life, but what must be must be; she died this morning. ?il-li waa^id c,a?lak <4 ^y^a yit-han-naabu a penny for your thoughts (tell us what you are thinking about: usually addressed to a person who has been silent for some time and who appears to be
jty д?-1» <dJ li JI 14 * J Ji Jjl wouldn't listen. - That's O.K., let matters run their course. ?imsik ?<^stf(zb</k JdLLfik-l steady yourself! (be calm; don't get excited) Steady yourself! She didn't mean to offend you. ?imji sana J**) S/2^XJ” J s^*4' wala ti/z/Hi ?ana better safe than sorry [saying] (it is wiser to be over-cautious and take proper care than to be rash and unthinking and so do something foolish that harms one, that one regrets later) - You could have overtaken the lorry just now. - Better safe than sorry, just let me use my own judgment, will you? ?umuurbamya rotten affairs (a state of widespread corruption, e.g. bribery, dishonesty, bad morals, etc.) The police must be kept free from bribery and other rotten affairs. ?aan il?awaan O'jSl' it’s high time (it is necessary at this moment: used to indicate that an action or decision must be taken without further delay) John's suit was old and it was high time he bought a new one. ?inK/l-kz amuut aJ Li j' cross my heart and hope to die! (to swear that one is telling the truth or that one will not reveal a secret) I tell you I don't know who broke the window - cross my heart and hope to die! ?inJr/l-L/ mahadd ! U kU Li jl haw-wij never mind the cost! (said by someone who is indifferent to money) selling drugs. Well, you live and learn. (^ >) ?il-li yiigi balaaj yuruuh balaaj easy come, easy go [saying] (what was easily won, gaind, earned, etc., is easily lost, spent, or wasted: often said to show that one is not worried at losing something or freely spending money) Lost them again? This is what I should have expected - easy come, easy go. ,, a i * , t в i a * ?il-li yiigi J^) min-nu ?ahall min-nu half a loaf is better than none [saying] (it is better to take what one can get or accept what is offered, even if this is very little, than to risk having nothing at all) ?umrn ilxeer zayy umm is-sa^d you pays your money and (you) takes your choice (a person who has to choose between several of very similar possibilities or courses of action may as well trust to luck when making his choice) [from a 9th-century rhyme: "Whatever you please, my little dears: I You pays your money and you takes your choice./ You pays your money and what you see is/ A cow or donkey, just as you pleases." The idiom is intended to be humorous and therefore uses incorrect grammar (pays, takes, sees, pleases)] The whole problem of the origin of comets is still very speculative, and is likely to remain so. In reviewing the theories, you pays your money and you takes your choice. ?</mri lil-laa кВ ja\ let matters run their course (an expression of resignation: of an illness, state of affairs, series of events: to continue to its natural end: develop naturally) - I've tried hard to convince him, but he
>) л* ь 15 jjji «ibli jj (to get one's revenge on someone; harm someone who has harmed oneself) He's been rude to me since I came here, but I'll get even with him in the end. ?inta Jaayif kida ! *JbU) CJj sez/says you! (so you say! Used as a scornful expression of disbelief) - We'll all get very good wage increases next year. - Sez you! ?inta mabti/baSJ V txl ?abadan d’you want jam on it? (what more do you want? used to a person who has just got an advantage and then asks for more) I've just bought you a new house and filled it with new furniture, and now you say you want a new car too, D'you want jam on it? ?inta wigamaStak CJj you and yours (a person, his wife, and their family) We’ve invited a few friends for a meal on Saturday, Would you and yours like to come? ?inxuli ya J**) um £aamir [as the folk story goes, a thief was once seen stealing some wheat flour from a neighbour’s bam. He managed to get away and ran home to tell his wife that she need not hide the flour he used to steal, and that she could sift it in public, because the truth had become known to everybody] loud(ly) and clear(ly) (publicly; unambiguously; for all to hear and notice) - Shall I tell your husband you've been betraying him for years? - Loud and clear; he's already told me he knows everything about it. - I'm going to invite you to dinner at the Ritz. - Are you mad, Tom! Do you know how much it costs? - Never mind the cost! (^*-i Ji») XlilS ?in fattak ilbadri Jal-lah wigri better late than never [saying] (it is better that something should happen or someone should arrive late than not at all) 9 О О s О „ Э 0 Jia) J— ?in kaan habiibak £asal matilhasuuf kul-lu don’t abuse the kindness of a friend (don't ask too much from someone who has been generous, kind, helpful, etc., to you) ?ana Jjabd ilma?muur I’m simply doing my job (to have nothing to do with the consequences of what one is doing because one is only performing the duties of one's work) How could I have guessed that this is a stolen Jacket? Someone brought it here yesterday to be taken in, and I'm simply doing my job. ?ana fi^ard in-nabi ! Ul I beseech you (used to ask earnestly; implore; beg eagerly) I beseech you to listen to me -1 didn't do it. ?ana mi/naa?is ! Ul I’ve had it up to here! (to become fed up; reach an end; be able to take no more of something) - Listen, I'm going to tell you the latest about our boss. - Please don't, I've had it up to here. ?ana wi ... wiz-zaman tawiil I’ll get even with someone in the end
(UjJI Jb- oi jaI) JU-' UjU' ^a' ?ahid-dinya £ala dilfraal (?ahu da faaal id-dinya) that’s the way the cookie crumbles (that's how things are and one must accept them: used when something unfortunate, unpleasant, etc. has just happened) I'm not telling you to forget her, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. ?aahi /atamit that’s the last straw (the final thing that, when added to an unpleasant or bad situation, causes failure, ruin, etc.) That's the last straw: he lost his job after he had lost his house. ?urtit J=iyaal JU* a whole tribe of children (a number of children, belonging to the same parents, whose keeping is a real burden because of lack of money) Mr. and Mrs. Green are in real trouble; they have got a whole tribe of children while they hardly earn enough money to buy their food. ?iw^a ti?uul bimm J?& not a peep out of you! (I'm not going to listen to the slightest word, sound or complaint from you) Whether you like it or not, you're going to go on that business trip and not a peep out of anyone of you! ?ay-yaam is-seef ilhalaal J*)U-I dog days (a period of very hot and uncomfortable weather during July and August) [translation of Latin dies caniculares days of the Dog Star; because this is the period when the rising of the Dog Star (Sirius) coincides with the rising of the sun] It was one of those dog days; I was sweating as a wet sponge when I arrived in Liverpool. ?ins wal-la ginn ? what have we here? (used when the speaker's suddenly aware of the presence of someone else) - What have we here? - It's only me, darling! о Ji о о $ a a ?r/nd«f mis-siini Дю f »' ba£d yasiilu stripped bare, cleaned out (without a penny) His wife left him stripped bare after buying her the car she had always wanted. ?aah min-nak ! you snake-in-the-grass! (said to a person who is thought by the speaker to have harmful intentions not easily recognizable) You snake-in-the grass! What did you say to the boss? He knew all about my relationship with his secretary and fired me. ?ahu da ... wal-la balaaj ja' that’s what I call... (par excellence) Look at that smashing girl! That's what I call beauty. ?ahu dak-kalaam ! а'ДхЛ oi jaI now you’re talking! (that's much better: used as an expression of agreement or encouragement) - Let's go and have a drink. - Now, you're talking! See you at the pub in ten minutes. ?ahu da il-li kaan jaI noa?is all one needs (what one does not want or need is the thing or person specified; what will make one's difficulties, disappointments, inconvenience, discomfort worse, or complete, is that thing or person specified) Someone has offered me a greyhound pup. That's all I need
(4^jL*i) 4л JJJjJ 17 ?iid (</!*-• J**) J^i^3 I» Iaa?-jJ JjI liwahdaha matsa?-?afj it takes two to tango [saying] (a job, duty, etc., is easy to do if more than one person share the work) [tango was the first Latin American dance to gain international popularity. It depends on a couple of dancers who glide smoothly through a variety of step patterns] Come on, would you like me to help you? It takes two to tango. ?iid wara wi?iid ud-daam Adj ’ JJ Ad empty-handed (having nothing in the hands; bringing or taking nothing, especially nothing of value, such as money or a present) He came back from Saudi Arabia, and no wonder he was empty-handed because he always spent his money on silly things. a a t • x ?iidak min-nu wil?ard ** a dead loss (a person, idea, or activity, etc., that is hopelessly bad or ineffective) As far as cooking is concerned, my wife is a dead loss. Just the other day, she cooked us an old rooster and we threw it in the garbage. ?iidu /afiifa АЛ’’" light-fingered (having a tendency to steal things) The shopkeeper caught some light-fingered school children and called the police immediately. ?iidu tarja J? aJjl pack a punch (having the ability to deliver a quick thrust or blow with the fist) Don't tease him - he packs a punch. ?iidu mtfxruuma (sayba) a-bl open-handed (generous) My aunt, Eliza has always been open-handed. Just ask her and I'm sure she'll give you the money you need. ?il?ay-yaam bitigri time flies (time passes very quickly: usually said to express surprise that so much time has passed while one has been working, since one last met a person, etc.) [from a line in Virgil's Georgice (III, 284)] - Dan, old friend, it's been ages since we last met. - Yes, time flies. ?il?ay-yaam duwal Jji I life is full of ups and downs (life has times of happiness or success and times of sadness or failure) Joe and I were mostly unaware that we can't be happy all the time - life is full of ups and downs. ?ay-yaam ... ma^duuda someone’s days are numbered (someone's life or usefulness has only a short time left, e.g. because of fate or a powerful person is against one) He'd offended their most important customer, so his days with the company were numbered. ?il?iid J"4) 4—л ilbat-taakr nigsa the devil finds work for idle hands [saying] (those who are not kept busy by work or other useful activity will start doing things that are harmful or evil) Tony, why don't you find yourself something to do instead of watching TV all day. The devil finds work for idle hands. (ч^ J**) ь 4*7’ ?il?iid ?il-li mati?d</r ti?k/^hrz bus-ha if you can’t beat them, join them [saying] (if a rival faction, political party, business firm, foreign power, etc., continues to be more successful than one's own, it is better to go over to their side and get what advantages on can from the alliance)
Y OjUJ' <uj 18 (to be not nearly so good as) The paintings here are good, but they're not a patch on the ones we saw in London. ?ilaaya it^akasit С— the boot is on the other foot/leg (the situation has been turned the other way round) Soon after I went to work for another company, my old boss came to me begging for a job. Now I am his boss, and the boot is on the other foot. ?ee il^ibtwra V what’s cooking? (what is happening?; what is being planned?; what is everyone doing?) What is cooking? Why is everyone suddenly quiet? ?iidu najfa adJ tight-fisted (miserly) The pain in his chest kept getting worse, but as he was tight-fisted he refused to see a doctor until he dropped dead this morning. Ji*) jXnJl uj dlsJjlll ?eej ti^mil ilmaJia filwijJ il^ikir you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear [saying] (nothing good can be made from material that is bad or of poor quality) Here I am all dressed up in a white waistcoat and black boots, but I'm still a peasant. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. ?eej gaab ligaab jiuj the one is not a patch on the other
baa£ ilyaali bir-ri/iifi sell one’s birthright for a mess of pottage (to exchange something of lasting value for something that is of value for a short time only) (from the Bible, Genesis 25: 29 - 33, which tells how Esau sold his BIRTHRIGHT to his brother Jacob] His mother told him that if he went to Saudi Arabia and ignored the job offered to him by the university he would be selling his birthright for a mess of pottage. baac, ilmay-yo 4^' £^b fihc/rt is-sa?-?ayiin carry coals to Newcastle (to do something that is completely unnecessary, especially to take supplies, articles, etc., to a place where there are plenty of them already) [refers to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which was a centre of coal-mining in England] It would be carrying coals to Newcastle if another bank opened in this street: there are five here now. И ' 0 baa^ drzmiiru ® *^b sell one’s soul (to disregard one's conscience, especially concerning the quality of the work one does, in order to gain money, power, personal safety, etc., easily) He tried for 6 months to earn enough to live on as a writer, but in the end he had to sell his soul and work for an advertising company. baa£ huduumu 4» j да ^b lose one's shirt (to lose everything one has; suffer a severe financial loss, especially in gambling or speculation) Everybody felt sorry for him when his farm was destroyed by the big fire last month. It seems he's lost his shirt; he can hardly find enough money to eat. baab in-ntfg-gt/rzr Ji*) jbd' *->b mixal-la^ the shoe-maker’s wife is ill-shod [saying] (said of a person whose children, wife/ husband or relations in his responsibility are not so good as he is in the same field of specialty, craft, etc., especially because he dose not give them the attention he gives to others) He's the best maths teacher in school, and his daughter got a zero on the final maths exam. The shoemaker's wife is ill-shod. ?ilbaab yifaw-wit ganial ! kindly get out of here! (no-one is forcing you to stay: said to someone who threatens during an argument to leave, or whose presence is no longer welcome) The third time he asked his aunt to give him money, she said, 'kindly get out of here, little nephew!' br/ditlu fil?afas С—ЭЬ the big jackpot just fell/dropped into one’s lap (of a lucky or happy event: to happen to come to a person, especially with no effort of his own) The big jackpot just fell on their laps and all their financial troubles are over. о о 4 © J btfdtu win-nigm *bb not have a penny to one’s name (to have no money at all) When he first arrived in this town he didn't have a penny to his name.
20 4&4J of Arabic calligraphy] with a capital/big А, В, C, etc. (definitely so: used to suggest that a person or thing is an extreme example of the kind described) He's a teacher with a capital T = He talks, etc., in the manner of a teacher. bilharf ilwaahid jJl Ji to the letter (exactly; with attention to every detail) Whatever you use, read and follow the directions to the letter. bit-tabl ilbaladi J-Д^Ь a hell of a job (a very difficult job, especially on that is witnessed by a lot of people) My son got married to an old woman and it was a hell of a job before she agreed to leave him. bit-tuul bilJjtjrd Jj^Jb by hook or by crook (in whatever way one can; by any available means; by fair means or foul) As soon as he hears there was to be an evening party, he determined that by hook or by crook he would be present too. baali^ radyu talk a blue streak (to talk continuously, rapidly or interminably) When it comes to music, which is her favourite topic, she seems to talk a blue streak. bil^agal at/on the double (as quickly as possible; immediately) [part of a military command ordering a soldier to march at twice the usual speed] It's urgent - get to my office on the double! bil^tzrabi in plain English (in language that can be easily understood; without trying to be too polite or kind) ba?iilu tak-ka axj aJ J®b within an ace (very close to doing something) The new football team is within an ace of grabbing the Championship. They've already won all the matches and there's only one left. bil?agal on credit (on a promise to pay later) Since I came to this small village I've been buying everything on credit because I haven't got enough money to pay on the spot. bilbczrtzk^z aT jJb without undue concern; without bothering to be precise (of something that is dealt with without observing formalities, counting, weighing, etc.) If you continue to live without bothering to be precise, you might lose all your money. a » a j, bii-ta?siit ilmuriih ji' h^.Ji-Jb on the knock (a method of buying an article by paying part of the price each week or month) We didn't have enough money to buy the new television so we got it on the knock. a i a i bit-tamaam wik-kamaal all told (including everything or everybody) When I counted the books I found that there were 50 on the shelf all told. bit-tiila aLJL only by the skin of one’s teeth (only just; with very little time, space, etc., left over) We drove to the station at full speed and caught the train only by the skin of our teeth. bis-sulus dJJb [sulus is a large decorative interwined style
•U-iU* jjJu 21 ejlkiJb bilaa^ niswaan O’j-J a skirt-chaser (a man who is often lonely and wanders the streets in search of a girl or a woman, especially when considered as an object of sexual desire; womanizer) 0 xx о £ x bigar-rit ?alam at a stroke (suddenly and without a single action or effort) The company is currently in trouble because the new manager changed strategy at a stroke. bihalt ilfabriika in mint condition (in perfect condition; as if new) [refers to coins that have just been made at a mint (a government factory that makes money)] The car was in mint condition; everybody thought it was new. bihis-sak ! jJ—л? I owe it all to you! (an expression of appreciation or gratitude, especially by a wife to her husband, which shows that the well-being she is in can only be enjoyed as long as he is alive) - Honey, we've been happily married for fifteen years now. -1 owe it all to you! ba£tak yabu bxiit У take pot luck (to take whatever may be obtained without previous knowledge of what this may be; take a chance) He told me to come at 7 and take pot luck = he invited me to come to his house at 7 o'clock and to eat whatever food there happened to be. biduun munasba JjJj out of the blue (unexpectedly; without warning) While we sat and talked, Simon just arrived In plain English, I'm disappointed at your work. bil?aHaara OjUailb in/by dribs and drabs (in or by small, often irregular, amounts) The work had been coming in by dribs and drabs for several years. bilmay-yit at least (not less than; at the lowest calculation) My holiday will cost at least 1000 pounds. baan ^ala ?aslu sink to one’s / someone’s level (to begin to behave badly or speak coarsely, especially when this is expected of one by others) I might have known you'd sink to your level when you got drunk. I was ashamed to be with you! bitaa£ it-talat wara?aat a con man (a swindling or duping person) Baker is a real con man; he made me buy an overpriced used car. • it• bitaa^ um-mu a*' tied to one’s mother’s apron-strings (especially of a man or boy: completely dependent on and under the control of his mother) He can't make any decisions himself because he's still tied to his mother's apron-strings. bitaa^ kul-lu Jack of all trades (a person who has the ability to do many different kinds of work although not necessarily very well; a thing that can be easily adapted to many different uses) The jack of all trades is this small screw-driver: it can do many things around the house.
ff x J * 22 The thief, bless his black heart, robbed everything. bismil-la !aJJI <»—u help yourself! join in! (an invitation to a guest to begin eating when food is served, or to someone to come into the company of those who have already started eating) Help yourselves, gentlemen - my wife will be here in a minute. bism il-laah ! ir-rahmaan ir-rafri i m [to achieve its idiomatic function, the Egyptian-Arabic formula should be uttered with a faster tempo than the normal one that is usually used when it is an invocation said before an undertaking] good Lord I God I heavens! (an expression of surprise, disbelief, etc.) - Good heavens! The floor is shaking under my feet. - It must be an earthquake. Let's run out of here! bijahmu wilahmu »uxjj your actual (the real famous person: sometimes spelled yer actual to copy humorous pronunciation) Here comes your actual Elton John. bajra? ^inee *4^ j feast one’s eyes on; give one’s eyes a treat (to look with enjoyment at something pleasant) Feast your eyes on these diamonds. bass li ... min J* Jarf mana/iiru look down one’s nose at someone (to regard somebody with scorn or dislike) All the stuffy people stayed away and I thought, 'Thank God for that, they always look down their noses at me, anyway.' out of the blue. birabjit ilmi^al-lim 4bjjj in the mass (as a whole) They went in the mass to vote for the new leader. biru^s it-turaab >1 jsJl j> as cheap as dirt (costing very little; very cheap) Dates are as cheap as dirt during the autumn, the season when they are plentiful. barw ^atab j j put in an appearance (to appear somewhere or attend a party, etc., especially because one feels a duty to attend) I didn't want to go to the party, but I put in an appearance for my parents' sake. buruud ingiliizi a English reserve (the act of keeping one's thoughts, feelings, and affairs to oneself, which is believed to be typical of English people) - Why is he trying to hide his feelings, I wonder? - He's not, but you may call this English reserve. ?ilbusaat Vahmadi SJsL-Jl things are quite informal (a friendly call for a comfortable, relaxed gathering) - Shall I wear a suit and tie to the party? - No, things are quite informal. bisalamtu (5)4-а*>Си may God keep someone safe (1) (a parenthetical formula of concern) How is your son, may God keep him safe? bisalamtu bless someone’s black heart (2) (a parenthetical formula used derisively)
(unwell or not cheerful) [probably compares being unwell to being under a cloudy sky during bad weather] She had a bad cold, and she's still a bit under the weather. ba^d Ji*) U ЛлЛ Дл il^iid mayitfitilj kahk one doesn’t hang up streamers after Christmas [saying] (an action or event is only meaningful when performed or celebrated at the right time) [streamers are long, narrow, flowing ribbons that are hung during Christmas time] - Shall we go and say happy birthday to Anna? - But her birthday was last month - one doesn't hang up streamers after Christmas. ba^d /araab malta «daJU lock the stable door after the horse has bolted (to take special care to avoid suffering harm, loss, etc., after a misfortune has already taken place) - So many books have been stolen from the library that you now have to leave your bags and cases at the desk as you go in. - This is almost like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. bi^adad fa£r raasak ДХ-dj ^Д* more than you have had hot dinners (very many or much: often used to scold a person with little experience for pretending to be knowledgeable) You can’t tell me anything about cars - I've had more cars than you've had hot dinners. ba^za? (ba^tar) (>*) J J* karaamit... strip someone out of dignity (to humiliate someone by scolding him angrily) basal J**) j bi^amsa wib%amsa basal six of one and half a dozen of the other (the same or nearly the same in one case as in the other) - Shall we walk or take the bus? - Well, the bus goes a much longer way. We can get there as fast by walking. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other, really. basalit J^) ^=4 ilmuhibb x^ruuf a posy from the beloved is a ruby; а cheerful look makes a dish a feast [saying] (a gift from one's beloved, no matter how cheap or humble it is, will be as much appreciated as something of great value) - What did she give you for your birthday? - a bottle of after-shave lotion. - It that all? - A posy from the beloved is a ruby. batnu karkibit C-Г S have one’s heart into one's mouth (to feel afraid or anxious, e.g. when waiting for something to happen) As I was waiting to hear the results. I had my heart in my mouth. ?ilbai-Ja is-suuda j-Jl AlaJl (the) black sheep (a person who is bad or in some way not up to the standard of the others in a group) My brother is a lawyer and my sister is a doctor. They say I'm the black sheep of the family because I decided to be an actor. 9 % Л bituulu djlaj on one’s tod (by oneself; alone) I don't want everyone to go at once and leave me all on my tod. bi^afya under the weather
! jM, 24 k.Jli!1 XJU 'S’ Хлл favoured treatment, exert political pressure, promote one's own interests, etc.,) - Why didn't Attorney General seek an order against the merchant banks? - Money talks. ba?ecna filhawa sawa ! W □ Ц& join the club! you’re in good company! (that's just the same unfortunate situation I am or we are in!) - Oh dear, I haven't got any money left this month. - Join the club! We've spent our last penny too. ball rii? ... Jmj Jj give someone respite (to give someone a time of relief and rest; lull) Isn't he going to give us respite; we've been working hard for seven hours without a word of encouragement. 3 I <0 s ball rii?u Jj wet one’s whistle (to take a drink) He likes to wet his whistle on his way to work every day. bala/eeba (waksa) % it’s all farce! (ridiculous; absurd; improbable) Damn linguistics - it's all farce! bala ^ilall ! % such a hopeless lot! (an expression of exasperation used as a comment on something or someone that is thought to be useless, extra, etc.) Men? What men are you talking about? Such a hopeless lot! balaaj tu?l ! jb enough of this coyness ! (stop acting more reservedly, shyly or bashfully than you ought to: usually said to someone who is trying hard to hide his affection for someone else) Enough of this coyness! Say you love me. I'll strip Bob out of his dignity if he comes with this nonsense again. biSjiid Jb) jP Л-ю jP Am ^an il^een biEjiid ^an il?alb out of sight, out of mind [saying] (something or someone that is not seen is soon forgotten) - Ella's been going out with Fred since her boyfriend went on that business trip. - Out of sight, out of mind. bi^iid ^an Janab... jP Am it’s quite beyond someone (out of the reach, range, ability, or understanding of someone) He thinks his tender can get accepted without my interference - it's quite beyond him. bi£iid £an-nak (jMuLJl JLw (%an is-sam^iin) may the like of it never come upon you! (prophylactic phrase accompanying the mention of something undesirable = may such a thing be far from you!) We've fallen on evil times, may the like of it never come upon you! ?ilbayl fil-labrii? Jj^1 JiJl a quart into a pint pot (to attempt to do what is impossible, especially by trying to put a great quantity of something into something that cannot hold it) Many new people have moved into this small town and they have nowhere to live. You can't put a quart into a pint pot. bifar? fafya eлл J by a whisker (by a very small amount) Nixon lost to Kennedy by a whisker. • / x • 9 J 9 9 JO Ji») dJ—» jjF jUaLJ' С-Ч dJL» bifluusak bint is-sultaon ^aruusak money talks (the possession of wealth enables one to get
л! jL>v» дЗ 25 ^Uj JJ' (to become successful, wealthy, especially because of good luck) Fortune's smiled on him since he opened that small shop on the corner. buuz il?xs )У a wet-blanket (a dull or boring person who spoils other people's happiness) Don't ask Tom to the party. He's such a wet blanket, always talking about rising prices and unemployment. buus ?iidak wijj ! widtfhr count your blessings! (to remember the ways in which one is fortunate, especially when one is dissatisfied with something) Count your blessings! You've got a comfortable flat, a big car and above all a lot of kind friends. What else do you want? a, > ей # x >) ^y. baw-wflz it-tab/rz ^ala bimalimeen malh spoil the ship for a ha’porth o’tar [saying] (to risk ruining or losing something valuable by refusing or being unable to buy a small but necessary article) [originally lose the sheep for a ha'porth of tar (i.e. to lose a wounded sheep because one refuses to spend a small amount of money on treating its wound). In some places, sheep is pronounced as ship] I'm going to buy some new paint brushes - the old ones have gone stiff. I've paid a lot for the paint and I don't want to spoil the ship for a ha'porth o'tar. biyaakul fi?at-ta mahluula live in clover (very comfortable, especially in having plenty of money or food for which one does not do the least effort) [refers to farm animals that have plenty to eat] ?ilbalad il-li twad-di <£*У we can well do without someone (to be able to get along without the person mentioned or implied: often used to denote that the person referred to is not very much wanted or welcome) - He says he's going to leave for good. - We can well do without him. Anyway, he was such a bore. b«l-l«i ^alfiluus £ Jab hang onto the money (to refuse to pay one's share or repay one's debts) It has been a month now since he borrowed the money, so it seems he's going to hang onto it. bal-lrzt filxatt Jajb' Jab wouldn’t budge (to refuse to move or stir) The engine broke down and the car wouldn't budge on the way; we had to walk a mile to the nearest garage to get help. bil-lu wijrab may-yitu as-* j-ilj *b [The literal Egyptian-Arabic translation, soak it and then drink the water, refers to the folk cure of drinking water in which a written charm has been soaked] it’s not worth the paper it’s written on (of a worthless document or written paper) - If you can't honour the contract, I'm going to sue you. - What contract are you talking about? It's not worth the paper it's written on. balwa msay-yaha OjL a clever devil (a very tricky person who is usually difficult to deal with) - Who did that to you? - Rich. - I know he's a clever devil. ?ilbilya li^bit ma£a ... 0^ ** aJJI fortune smiled on/upon someone
26 biyjiff wiyriff uA.t,.i spick and span (fresh, clean and tidy in every detail) The bed has been made, fresh towels were in the bathroom and everything was spick and span. j - » a, bay-yad wijj... Ja-> do someone proud (to make someone proud; do very well; gratify highly) I think by passing all his exams with high grades he has done you very proud, hasn't he? bccdtf mi?af-fara оjJJLe Ulj on a plate (something obtained without having to work hard in order to get it) David is the youngest son, who had success handed to him on a plate. bee^a su?^ £ft-» a real bargain (something obtained at a very low cost or with very little effort) This table is a real steal - where did you get it? been nnreen ujH between the devil and the deep blue sea (having two possible courses of action open to one, both of which are dangerous, unpleasant, etc.) I was taken to court to pay my husband's debts, which I was told had to pay or else go to prison, so I was between the devil and the deep blue sea. biyunfux fi?irba у waste one’s breath (to talk without any effect) You're wasting your breath. He's not listening to you. He's been living in clover since his rich father died. beet il?asiid Дм/эдИ the name of the game (the main idea; exactly the right idea) - Your friend must be making a lot of money in Saudi Arabia. - What else could he be doing there? Making money is the name of the game. • i • - x , • • biyityaani? maija 4-ij jbo dib-baan wif-fu short-tempered (a person who can easily be made angry) When discussing such a sensitive matter with him be careful with your words - he's short-tempered. biyxaaf min x^yaalu 4Jl> ja be afraid of one’s (own) shadow (to be very timid) She stays at home all the time and never makes any new friends - she seems to be afraid of her own shadow. biyid-dan fimwltz/ «daJU J) J JU flogging a dead horse (to keep trying to get response or satisfaction from someone or something that cannot or can no longer give it) [refers to a person who beats a horse to make it go even though it is dead, thus doing something that is completely useless] You're flogging a dead horse by asking him to lend you money; he hasn't even got enough for himself. ?ilbiir wiyatafl olkt j the ins and outs (the small details, often difficult to explain or understand, of a system, operation, course of events, etc.) I was about to explain to him how difficult the situation was, but soon I found out that he already knows the ins and outs of it all.
27 t» g -j of land. beeni wibeenak frankly speaking (to say something or express oneself openly, hiding or keeping back nothing) Frankly speaking, I didn't study the lesson at all. binhum ma sc/iic/l, U ilhad-daad at daggers drawn (quarrelling or fighting; on bad terms with an opponent) The two men were at daggers drawn because they both claimed the same piece
is-sawaahi dawaahi still waters run deep [saying] (a person who is quiet and says little often hides deep feelings or a lot of knowledge of a subject) - Do you think he knows anything about our plans? - I'm sure he does - still waters run deep. tahwiijit il^umr someone’s nest egg (money saved by a person or family for future use) They have their nest egg in the bank - they hope to buy a house in two or three years. tidaw-wibu fi^ara? ! 3 il^afya wear it in good health! (said to someone who has just bought a new garment) - What do you think of this blouse? - It suits you very well - wear it in good health! turarzb ilfiluus j» chicken feed (a very small amount of money) Your rent is chicken feed in comparison with mine, so you don't have to complain at all. 00 09^ 0 4 / Л truJJ ilmalh mayinzilj U £UJI jjl not be enough room to swing a cat (to have only a very small amount of space) [the cat here refers to the CATO'NINE TAILS, a whip formerly used for punishment on board a ship of the British navy] They invited so many people to a party in their small flat, and there wasn't enough room to swing a cat. 9 , fit trumm ilS,tfdm f stick to someone’s ribs (of food, especially heavy filling food: to ttztzr baayit Cub jb an old feud (a long and deadly quarrel between two families or tribes, which is often passed from father to son; bitter hatred between two persons or groups) There's an old feud between the two families - all the attempts to make them forget about their past disputes were in vain. ?it-talta tabta J=*) *4^ third time lucky [saying] (after two failures in attempting to do something, the third time is likely to be successful) -1 took the driving test twice but I failed it. - Third time lucky. tibaat nr/tzr J**) J jb tisbc/h ramaad here today (and) gone tomorrow [saying] (present for only a very short time) - They've been fighting since they got back from their journey. - Don't worry. They will soon be good friends again. Things are always like this, here today and gone tomorrow. taht ?iidu at one’s elbow (of things: within easy reach; near and ready for use) She is very interested in cooking and always has a lot of cookery books at her elbow.
,1 <3 dill jjJ 29 (of a man who is remarkably smaller than the standard size of his kind) Don't think lightly of that pint-sized man - he's already cheated everybody in the office. » > ez о о J ?it-tu?l JaJ* play hard to get (to make it difficult for someone to meet or talk with one, often in order to make oneself more attractive to or wanted by someone) - I've asked her several times to go out with me. but she always says she's busy. I'm not sure if she really loves me. - She does, but she plays hard to get. ?it-tu?l warn ya J**) Ь ?abaani [ ‘?abaani’ is one who weighs with a steel yard (?abaan): a type of scale, having two arms of unequal length. The longer one has a movable weight; the shorter one has a hook for holding the object to be weighed. The heavier the object being weighed the further backwards the weight attached to the longer arm (?it-tu?l) is moved.] the best is still to come (considerable profits, gains, etc., are usual- ly obtained in the end: used to encourage someone who is likely to lose patience or hope while waiting to see the result of an action, enterprise, etc.,) -1 must tell yjou that this is not at all what I expected; the first results are not so inviting. - The best is still to come, I assure you. tooral-loa fibarsiimu **т*>у. a happy camper (a person who is stupid but content with his present situation) - Why don't we ask Dan to join us - he's smart. - Smart! You're kidding; I know he's just a happy camper. satisfy someone's hunger well; give someone health and energy) Have some more of this meat. That'll stick to your ribs. tistaahil bu?-?ak dXb (really) worth eating (of food: would you like to try it?) The jam turned out to be delicious - really worth eating. tidii^ fiiha ra?aabi && heads will roll for it (certain people will be dismissed from their jobs, especially because of a mistake, failure to act properly, etc.) The company is not going to make a profit this year. It's lost several customers because of its bad work. Heads will roll for it. tiS-iif witaa/ud yirha you may live to take another knock (a light-hearted consolation after a minor misfortune) -1 fell off the bike and broke my arm. - You may live to take another knock. tiff fi^ib-bak ! dXf- Uu count yourself lucky! (said to someone who has survived a misfortune; who has been spared harm or destruction, or exempted from punishment suffered by many others) - / still can't believe I'm safe. - Count yourself lucky - many people have been killed in the accident. tiff min bu?-?ak ! ja don’t say such a thing! (said to someone who blasphemes or mentions something ill-omened) Don't say such a thing! Do you think it's smart to mock at all the things that are sacred to God? ta?aawi rtzagil a pint-sized man
LkP J^' о* 30 the nearest town. - The biter bit. tiigi ma?;a ilhubl dubl beginner’s luck (the good fortune that sometimes allows a novice to outdo an expert) Though he knows very little about chess, I don’t know how it happened, but he beat me twice this morning - I should think it's beginner's luck. tiigi tigiidu Ji*) ~ yisiidt/k the biter bit [saying] (a situation in which a person suffers from the results of his own action, especially when the intention of his action was the cheating or deception of another person) - When they asked everybody to submit their papers for promotion, I took Fred's and hid them, and so I was next and got promoted but soon I found out that they sent me to a village 200 miles away from
jJjU L jhJ! 31 । дг jsH L> gaab... £ala mala *Ад 1c- *-дЬг wij-ju bundle someone off (to bring or send in a hurry; hustle) A telephone call bundled him off to the police station and he left his breakfast on the table. gaab Чагааг ... i jly ’tr get to the bottom of someone, something (to find out the true nature of a person or subject or the exact cause of something) I don't think you'll ever get to the bottom of him because he's very cautious. gaab li... ?artikarya Ujl&J give someone the creeps (to cause someone to have feelings of dislike, fear, nervousness, etc.) My new boss gives me the creep - if I find a job somewhere else, I'll quit this one. gaab mtzrbal ilfarc/s jf hit the nail on the head (to say something that exactly describes a situation or explains the cause of a difficulty) He hit the nail on the head when he mentioned rising prices as being the cause of our present problems. gaabit... ^ala j'Ai gduur ri?abtu throw someone flat on the ground (of a woman: to make someone fall in love hopelessly with her) She threw him flat on the ground in less than a month. They got married this afternoon. gaalak ilmool -JjU b ОdJJb- ya laarik is-sala your sins have caught up with you (you've come to a bad end: said of or by someone who comes to some misfortune) When the coach fell into the ditch I said to myself, 'your sins have caught up with you' Martin. gaab ?agal... polish off something (to eat up or drink up; get done with or rid of; finish) He sat down at the dinner table and polished off everything on it. The guests didn't find anything to eat. gaab ilha?? £ala ... JlAi put someone in the wrong (to make someone responsible for a mistake, causing a quarrel, etc.) When anything gets lost in the house they always try to put me in the wrong because I sometimes forget to lock the front door. gaab dun/lhi/ Igi put up the shutters (to stop doing business for ever) Many people have left the village to look for work in the city and several shops have had to put up the shutters. gaab fasuu^a j—3 <— [fasuu/a (a type of black resin, used for burning as incense and for sticking charms against the evil eye) refers to a useless person] keep a dog and bark oneself (to have a person to do a job and then do it oneself) If I got married, I would not help my wife with the house work. That would be keeping a dog and barking myself.
32 (said of or by someone who always suffers from bad luck) I'd saved up for years to buy a car, and when I finally got one, I lost it in an accident the next day - it seems I was born to suffer. gat ^ag-garh come close to home (a remark exactly describing something or cleverly refering to something about which someone is very sensitive) She is very sensitive about being the oldest of our friends; when you said that everone you knew looked middle-aged, it came very close to home. guha ?awla Ji*) оjy Jj' bv- bilahm tooru a man has first claim on his own property (a person has the priority to use; enjoy; take care of his own belongings) - Who's going to ride the black horse? - I am. A man has first claim on his own property. gflrr Jakal J>-* yr make something out of it (to cause a disagreement about something especially so as to cause a fight) After a hundred yards, he stopped, turned to me with the look of anger on his face and said, ' want to make something out of it?' gorr naa^im mai-a ... yr lay on the charm with someone (to sweet-talk, humour with unctuous words) When I snapped at him, he started laying on the charm with me. о 3 O Л x giri Ijala lu?mitu sing for one’s supper (to earn one's daily food and whatever else one needs by doing some kind of work, e.g. when this is not one is used to) Ji*) Obwljll > y?T' ObbM ?ig-gay-yaat ?akkzr mir-myhrwt there’s always a next time [saying] (there will always be another chance: usually used to encourage someone whose first attempt at doing something has failed) You can forget about today's losses; there's always a next time. gibaal Ji*) J^ki’ ik-kuhl tifniiha ilmaraawid water wears away stone [saying] (anything, no matter how plentiful, strong, etc., it is, can be wasted or damaged by use) Don't be too proud of your father's wealth - you can't depend on it for ever; water wears away stone. gab«r bi/cMir... jblAj soothe someone’s feelings (to quiet; calm; comfort someone who has come to some misfortune or been humiliated in some way) Let's go and soothe her feelings; the boss was too hard on her this morning. gibil-litak ?ee ? what are you made of? (what are your real qualities?) What are you made of? Your brother was beaten up when you ran away leaving him behind by himself fighting three men. gibna fisirt il?utt ! Jaa Jail I lyr giy nuit talk/speak of the devil! (used when a person who has not been present suddenly arrives among a group of people who have just been talking about him) Peter does annoy me, coming around here all the time. Oh, Talk of the devil! That's probably him at the door now. J**) cJ*4 gat ilhaziina tifrah mal?itlahaaj matrah born to suffer
33 *ulJi (elegant surroundings) He got married to a silly girl who cares only about living in a very chic atmosphere. { 0 * & ?ig-gaww bitaa^ ... someone’s steady (someone's regular boyfriend/girlfriend) I know she'd been out with him, but I didn't realize she was his steady. ?ig-gaww sflfatdu d have a clear field (to get rid of the emotional tension caused by opponents, blamers or fault-finders) Now that the boss has retired Alan will have a clear field to do whatever he wants. ?ig-gawaab ji*) yibaan min ^inwaanu you can tell a book from its cover [saying] (a course of events can sometimes be predicted by the initial or preliminary action) -1 hope we'll have fine weather tomorrow. - I don't think we will - you can tell a book from its cover; It's already started to rain. gawaazit mijkaah liriima <£J * ® jljr nobodies deserve each other (persons of no importance often keep company with each other) - The smiths and the Johnsons have become partners. - Nobodies deserve each other. 9 ) t 6 i у £ ?ig-guuda bilmawguud byrЬ enough is enough (what one has got, done, etc., should be quite sufficient and anything more is not needed, will bring no additional pleasure or benefit, etc.) - Why can't we have some more blackberries, Mummy? - Because enough is enough, dear. gooz bitalat faraadi a baker’s dozen She'll have to sing for her supper if she comes to stay with us - I'm certainly not going to let her stay in bed all morning. gazar ... filbee^a jje rob someone blind (to get a lot of money from someone, especially by deceit; charge someone a price that is far too high and that will leave one almost without money) Knowing that the article I ordered is not available anywhere else, they robbed me blind. gass nr/bd ... sound/feel someone out (to explore someone's mood, attitude, etc.) Are you sure he's in a good mood today? Go and sound him out first before we talk to him about the raise. gild ^ala ^adm -d?- skin and bones (extreme thinness of the body) Going on a diet for almost a year has made her skin and bones. gam-mid ?albak ! -Up- take courage! (meet the danger or difficult situation without fear; be brave!) Take courage! Cheetahs don't attack humans. ?ig-gamal bima hamal Uj the whole caboodle (the whole lot; everything) He was very rich and never got married. Before he died he had written the whole caboodle in his sister's name. ginee yintuh gince «ua*- honest-to-goodness pounds (no penny less; real, true, or genuine) I paid fifty pounds for one ticket, fifty honest-to-goodness pounds. gaww ?aa/ir ?a\aaga yM yr a very chic atmosphere
34 gayy min Wf/п/ <*—>Ijj ja ^r ig-gamuusa as common as muck (derogatory: having low class-manners, or manners characteristic of country-folk as opposed to those of city-dwellers) She wears expensive clothes and jewelry, but when she starts talking you realize she's as common as muck. (thirteen) [formerly bakers were punished if they sold loaves of bread below a lawful weight. To each dozen loaves that were sold, therefore, an extra loaf was added free, to keep the weight above the lawful standard] Mrs. Joe has already eaten twelve pieces of cake, and she is eating another one now, making it a baker's dozen.
35 jU; > (to settle a dispute; reconcile) Kiss and make up with him - after all, he's your elder brother who brought you up. hibaalu tiwiila аЬjb take one’s own sweet time (to be in no hurry at all; to proceed very slowly) If you are in a hurry, don't ask him to do the job for you because he takes his own sweet time. hibr £ala wara? empty words (a document, contract, etc., that is not applicable) The company didn't honour a word of the contract. It was all empty words. habas damm ... put a damper on someone (to make someone less happy by being discouraging) His presence put a damper on all the people in the party because no-one liked him. hab-bak burs ! j [a curse based on the Egyptian folk belief that the gecko is a carrier of skin disease: mainly used in curt response to I love you!] may a gecko kiss you! -1... I love you, Mary! - May a gecko kiss you! Get out of my sight. habl ?afkt/6/r jL*- train of thought (an orderly succession of thoughts; a procession of connected ideas) I had written a couple of good paragraphs when the bell rang and made me lose my train of thought. hit-tit afandi a small beer (a person of little or no consequence) I'm not going to listen to a small beer like you. z h«ar winac/r jUj jb- may someone’s well-being turn to hellfire (a curse on someone who makes an unfair or dishonest profit) He took all my money for this house, a whole life's savings for a beggar's cottage! May his well being turn to hellfire. hear a sadd Х-» Ojb- a blind alley (an activity, etc., that does not lead to any success or advantage) The police’s inquiries were leading them up a blind alley, so they gave up and considered it a closed case. haaj nafsu Л-uii jAz- pull one’s punches (to stop oneself from striking or criticizing someone as hard as one is able) [from boxing in which a person may be about to hit his opponent but pulls his hand back before doing so] He wanted to know if I liked the work, and I was about to tell him the truth but I pulled my punches. haalu wimihtaalu Jl?- bag and baggage (one's belongings; everything a person owns: used especially when a person is leaving a place) His landlady could not tell the police where he might be. All she knew was that he'd left, bag and baggage. habb £ala ... kiss and make up with someone
36 teller reaches it) What do you mean by spoiling the joke? You're not going out with me again. hass in ?axritu ?ar-rabit CjJ* 45 JI read the writing on the wall (a sign or warning of future ruin, failure, unhappiness, etc.) [from the Bible (Daniel 5), in which the coming destruction of the Babylonian Empire is made known through the mysterious appearance of a man's hand writing on the wall] When Dan lost the advertising contract for the network, he could read the writing on the wall. hiss S;ala dam-mak ! have some shame! (said to someone who has done something wrong, improper, or silly) Have some shame! This is the third time you've reminded him of his debts. ?ilhisaab yigmalj (yigmil) don’t bother to pay me back now (let the account accumulate; I'm keeping a note of what you owe me: used in situations of frequent financial transaction) - This one makes seven. - Don't bother to pay me back now. hizbit birma 4_~^- [the literal Egyptian-Arabic translation, Birma’s calculation, refers to the quick-witted egg merchants of Birma: a small town near Tanta (the capital of Gharbiya province in the centre of the Delta)] an insoluble problem (an inexplicable matter) I've been trying to work out this calculation for hours in vain; it seems to be an insoluble problem. his-sak ^eenak ! just you dare! hit-ta ti?i«^ il?ird ijaJI 4=?- the back of beyond (a place far away from the centre where many people live, especially a place that is not easy to get to) After living in Cairo, this little village seems like the back of beyond. hit-tit diin ... 'AST an incredible something; a real something (something that is hard to believe; seeming too extraordinary to be possible) We've built an incredible house in the country. hit-tit £ay-yil J-* a mere scrap of a child (a form of reference to a child that is being long desired by a couple who are not able to produce one, e.g. due to sterility) She's been longing for a mere scrap of a child to rejoice in. J^*) JA JU jjljJl j^t^l ?ilhr/g«r id-daayir labudd min IczlJii one can’t get away with everything [saying] (one can't always take or do something and escape safely from the difficulties and worries of daily life, work, etc.) hagar Jb>) J j?* daayir wala sab^ naayim a working nobody is better than idle nobility [saying] (a person's worth, usefulness, etc., is measured by the work he does, not by the title he bears) ?ilharaam yaraam J**) the devil has the best tunes [saying] (pleasures that are evil are the most enjoyable; people who are bad have a more enjoyable time than the good) hara? in-nukta Jf spoil the joke (to give away the punch line before the
37 _________________________________ гуш y/wttbqu J-iJ' 4*Иyp Ja?- Azafara fij-ja?? throw up one’s hands/arms *to show that one is annoyed and has given up hope with someone or something that causes trouble) My mother threw her hands up in despair when I told her I'd failed my examinations. hutt fibtfinak 4^Л). Ja?- btfl-tii/a seefi you can bet your bottom dollar! (you can be completely certain) - Will you be able to arrest the rapist this time? - You can bet your bottom dollar! h«ti (<—>1j»1) Ja?- mana/iir ... fil?«rd (fit-turaab) put someone’s nose out of joint (to cause someone to be offended, e.g. by being successful where he has failed) You'll really put his nose out of joint if you go out with his old girlfriend. huzz ^awaalim (Jly- Ъ- have the luck of the devil (to be very fortunate beyond all reasonable measure) He failed all his examinations at school, but now he's got a better job than all his clever friends and more money too - he seems to have the luck of the devil. tkjfar ?«bru bi?iidu e-bb ° dig one’s own grave >to make a bad situation for oneself, and therefore be forced to accept it) - Mike's in real trouble with the police for stealing the car. - Well, he has dug his own grave, hasn't he? hafar warn ... scheme behind someone’s back (to devise plans, especially underhanded or evil ones that are meant to harm someone) Stop scheming behind my back or you'll be sorry for the rest of your life. (a mild warning used to discourage someone from saying or doing something disapproved of by the speaker) - I'm going to tell her about her father's dishonesty. - Just you dare! ?ilhasana ilwahiida J-l a saving grace (a certain good quality or ability in a person or thing that keeps him/it from being completely bad, worthless, etc.) He's a dull fellow - his one saving grace is that he doesn't complain when he's given hard work to do. h«f«r mana/iiru fi ... *о poke one’s nose into something (to concern oneself with or ask unwanted questions about someone else's affairs) We don't want any of your interference. You're a great deal too fond of poking your nose into things that don't concern you. hafimm ^ala dr/hr ! ?iidi I haven’t got a second sight! (I do not have the supposed ability to see or speak about future events before they happen) How was I to know that the car would break down? I haven't got a second sight! в . Z « x J * Z h«tt in-nu?r/l^alhuruuf .kiJl Ja?- dot the i’s and cross the t’s (to be meticulously correct in what one does or says; make clear in every detail something which may be obvious or well enough understood already. There are many i's to dot and t's to cross before we can feel certain about the exact relationship described here in broad detail. halt deelu fisnaanu Aop- take to one’s heels (to run away) He was so frightened that he took to his heels before anyone could see him.
38 opposite of what he says, e.g. because he is jealous of someone's success or wishes to scorn him) - I've won a holiday in Spain in a competition. - Well, bully for you! I've been trying that same competition for years and had never won. halaali balaali be one’s own to enjoy (of something that can be enjoyed without having to feel guilty, e.g. because of going beyond the limits of what is lawful, proper, or polite) Now that I've paid the last installment, the car is my own to enjoy. halaawit rooh a final fling (doing or saying exactly what one wishes, enjoying oneself freely, especially before or after a period of seriousness; burst of energy born of a zest for life) For a man of his age, going out every night, drinking and dancing with young girls seems like a final fling. hilwaana fisilwaana -L'jb- by stealthy degrees (without being realized) They kept on talking, and by stealthy degrees they managed to eat all the food. hamaatak bit-hib-bak w-Слд jJjUj*- you’ve come at the right time! (said to one who arrives when food is being served) You've come at the right time! Join us, it's your favourite dish today. о t о f humt/f/r Juyl J*-* workaholic (a person having an obsessive need to work constantly often as a way to avoid social contact) [coined by the American writer Wayne Oates: work + -aholic "addicted to", from hifi wara ... 'AT 4 j*)Aj Ijj shoe-leather (to exhaust oneself looking for or trying to get an object of interest) He shoe-leathered desperately trying to make her love him but in vain. ?ilha?? mayza^-^alj ji U fair’s fair (let us be fair and honest) Those thousand pounds less tax could have gone in the bank, so they are due to me. Fair's fair. ha?-?ak ^alay-ya ! I stand corrected! (I admit that my actions, opinions, etc., have been wrong) I admit that I judged you unfairly. I stand corrected! hikmitak ya rubb ! I — such is our Lord’s wisdom! (said in the face of an incomprehensible event) I know it's too hard to believe that she's died, but such is our Lord's wisdom. hill £an samaaya ! LU—» j* J> get off my back! (leave me alone; stop annoying, arguing with, or complaining to me) Why don't you get off my back and let me do my work! hala?iiha mneen wal-la jo» j jo» mneen I’ve got trouble on every hand (an expression of despair said by someone who receives a bad news when he is already suffering from a series of misfortunes) Don't tell me you've failed again - I've got trouble on every hand. halaal ^aleek ! cXU bully for you! (usually used when the speaker means the
39 J'j-* ! 4s?- qJ| t i hayaakul min gismik (ra?abtik, etc.) hit-ta it looks bewitching around your body, neck, etc. (of clothing, jewelry, etc.: a complimentary formula said to a woman when the item being praised suits her extremely well) - How do you like my new dress, Mom? - It looks bewitching around your body. ?ilhikwm liha (j^A-1 J**) widaan walls have ears [saying] (even the most secret and private conversation may become known to other people) Nelly made signs with her hands and moved her mouth silently to show that walls have ears. ?ilheet<7 ilwatya the low man on the totem pole (a person who often bears maltreatment and the suffering it causes) [the figure carved at the bottom of a totem pole seemed to bear the weight of all those figures carved above] Being the low man on the totem pole wasn't my idea of fulfillment; until when should I go on bearing other people's silliness? hilak hilak ! come, come! (an expression used to urge to be sensible, to talk or behave reasonably, with a stranger; a suggestion of reproach or rebuke) "Come, come. Miss Jenkins, be careful of what you're saying" said the detective, "You were seen at the station that morning." alcoholic] My father is workaholic - he never comes home from his office until late in the evening. (^A^ J=*) J'j-» j* kJ?jU?- humt/rU/k il^araga tiyniik £jan su?aal il-la?iim better make do with what you have [saying] (it's better to depend on your limited resources than ask for the help of others) - You're not going to ride your bike to work, are you? It's a very long way, Why don't you ask Tim to give you a lift in his car? - Better make do with what you have. hanil'cab £ala baJjd ? are we going to beat around the bush? (a mild rebuke said to someone who is trying to delay or avoid talking or considering the most important point or part of discussion, subject, etc.) Come on, are we going to beat around the bush? Say what you want to say straight out! hoosa wilooga 4^? 4— a fine kettle of fish (a state of affairs that is confused, difficult, different from expected, etc.) When he came back from holiday nothing in the house was in order. 'Well, this is a fine kettle of fish,' he said. ?ilhayy ?ab?a Ji*) cJJ » ^1 ^-1 milmay-yit let the dead bury the dead [saying] (it is better to concern oneself with the living, with present and future life and work, than with the remembering of people who are dead)
40 jbUl jJU-l Last week my husband got an extra pip - he's captain now. Xad ^ag-gaww .A' get into the swing of something (to become accustomed to an activity and begin to enjoy it or do it well) It's not easy work, but when you get into the swing of it you should be able to do it quite quickly. /ad £ala ... get fresh with someone (to behave too intimately or boldly with someone) Don't let them get fresh with you, or else you will regret it. Xad fiwij-ju make a break for it (to escape; set off in the wide world without any particular plan) He made a break for it and I had to look for him everywhere until I finally found him in a small town 200 miles away. Xad ... ijala yafla ‘dip catch someone napping (to surprise someone with a question, request, etc., when he is unprepared) When the teacher asked me to translate some French, he really caught me napping because I simply hadn't studied it. Xad ... J=ala ?add ^a?lu dip humour someone (to give in to the fancies or whims of someone; act so as to agree) Just keep on humouring him till you get what you want. Xad vrad^u come into one’s own (to receive the recognition for one's powers, abilities, etc., that one deserves) You will come into your own if the firm needs a translator because you can speak so many languages. ♦ ?ilxaali? in-naaji? ... jblJl be the spitting image of someone (to look very like another person, especially a relative) You can easily recognize whose baby that is; he is the spitting image of his mother. X^bal x^btil il^umr pull off a really O.K. deal; land a good deal (to be fortunate or successful in a business undertaking in such a way that would make one financially stable for a long time) He pulled off a really O.K. deal by signing a $2,000,000 contract with the government. Xad il^ahd -Ц*' «Ы- sign the pledge (to decide or promise to drink no more alcohol) [in former times a paper or pledge of this sort was actually signed by those people who opposed the sale or drinking of alcohol for religious reasons] - Have a beer. - No thanks. I've signed the pledge at last. To break the pledge is to begin drinking alcohol after a promise or decision not to do so. Xad dab-buura get an extra pip (to get promoted to a higher rank in the army or the police) [pip is the star-like shoulder insignia worn by police and army officers, e.g. lieutenants (two pips); captains (three pips)]
(to cause great hardship to someone or something) The boy was eating his parents out of house and home until he found a job. Xarg beet C-j £ second-rate; second-hand (rated as second-class; inferior / not new; used or worn by someone else) She's a second-rate actress. Xaza il^een spite the evil eye (to work against envy or mean disposition; cancel ill will shown by the envious) Although they were very rich, they often wore old clothes to spite the evil eye. %uff fi|ib-bi ! who do you think you’re fooling! (if I were a fool I would have been deceived by what you are saying) Who do you think you're fooling! Do you want me to believe that you've won all that money in a competition? О /О 0 „ Xtfktf riglu аЬ-j nip out (to move rapidly or nimbly) He nipped out to see his mother this morning and was back in less than one hour. Xatwa ^aziiza 1 3 what good fortune brought you here! (said to someone who unexpectedly visits after a protracted absence) What good fortune brought you here! We haven't met since we graduated. That was two years ago. Now tell me, are you here on business or holiday? Xiff hab-ba J**) "MP tiziid mahab-ba don’t wear out your welcome (a person who visits others too often or too long will not be gladly received, and will eventually lose appeal) Xad-daam lu?mit il^eej any man’s money (available, eager, to do anything provided there is financial gain in it) He showed no allegiance to the Party and made no secret of being any man's money. Xada^uuka faqoalu (j/U Jji) J the emperor has no clothes [saying] (what the majority of people blindly accept as existing or true does not in fact exist, is completely false, etc.) i ® J ® < Xadhum bis-soot О bluster one’s way out (to make, get, or force by talking noisily and violently, often with empty threats or protests) Blustering your way out does not impress me. Xadhum fignaabu ajU*- get it in the neck (to be scolded or punished, especially severely) You’ll get it in the neck from your father when he finds out what you've done. Xudu falku Ji») jxJl-C' j* jxJU min ^iyalku out of the mouths of babes [saying] (wise, shrewd, perceptive, prophetic remarks or questions can come from very young, naive or untaught persons) [from the Bible, PSALMS VIII 2, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger.'] - What could a boy like that suggest that Bill at the garage hasn't thought of? - You never know, out of the mouths of babes, remember. уагаЪ beet ... i jp eat someone, something out of house and home
to take effect) The plans for our new house are finished - now all we need is the money to set the wheels in motion. Xal-la ^inee fiwist raasu keep one’s eyes on the ball (to be very lively and attentive) [refers to a player in a ball game who watches the ball very closely in order to be ready if it comes to him] We need someone who can keep his eyes on the ball for this job - it's very demanding. /al-li ... ^ala yumaa j'As keep someone guessing (allow someone, usually deliberately, to remain uncertain of one's intentions, or about the actual facts of a case) The government kept everyone guessing for security reasons. • > л * / , J Xal-la ... finuss huduumu put someone in the cart (to put someone in an unpleasant or difficult position) [refers to the cart in which criminals were formerly taken to be punished] My wife's behaviour at my office party put me in the cart at work; I absented myself the next day. Xal-la ... yifidd-Jtz^ru « drive someone up the wall (to make someone very annoyed, angry, or mentally confused) Her lying to me all the time is driving me up the wall. Xal-la wijj ... JawaariS J® J cut roads in someone’s face (to line someone's face with wounds, especially by using a sharp instrument) Listen you two, if you don't know how to behave I'll cut roads in your faces. -1 visit my fiance every couple of days. - Don't wear out your welcome. Xiff Jway-ya S-ala ... ! go easy on someone! (to treat someone gently, with kindness or respect, especially when one might become angry or impatient with the person) Go easy on the boy; he didn't know he was doing anything wrong. Xilf xilaaf U5^A> back to front (with the back where the front should be, and vice versa) That boy's got his pullover on back to front. Xiliww rigl key-money (money paid by a prospective tenant for the right to rent) If you go to the suburbs, you can still buy a house for the same amount of key-money you have to pay for a rental one here. Xal-li ii-Uiabi? mastuur 1 let sleeping dogs lie! leave well alone! (not to look for trouble on purpose, especially by revealing a piece of information or a secret that has been kept unknown for some time) She let sleeping dogs lie though she knew what was going on. a t „ a a i i, Xal-la il-li mayiftiri I® yitfar-ittg make a spectacle of oneself (to behave in public view in such a manner as to become an object of curiosity, contempt, or wonder) She was greatly embarrassed when she had an argument with her husband in the street and he made a spectacle of himself. Xal-la ilmay-ya tim/i filmawasiir set/put the wheels in motion (to cause an activity to go forward or plans
43 /amsa wi/meesa ! touch wood! (used as an expression of hope that the good fortune one has just mentioned will not stop or that something unpleasant will not happen) I've been driving for three years and I haven't been stopped by the police once, touch wood! '/Jbt Jb) ZrjiSl' il?amal rakba ig-gamal a failure for all (the world) to see (a person whose failure in doing something has been made known to everyone, especially when he makes it public himself) Aren't you ashamed of yourself? What do you mean by going around telling everybody about your broken marriage - you've become a failure for all to see. X^yr* ilbirr fjaagilu JjS) jJ' *this pronunciation is found only in frozen contexts. the sooner the better (it is better that something be done, action be taken, etc., quickly than that it should be delayed) - When do you and Betty want to get married? - The sooner the better. Xirha fiyirha \AjJZ the best is yet to come (there will be more favourable times when you can be successful: often said to comfort a person whose attempt to do or get something was not successful) Don't feel upest for losing the first round - the best is yet to come. Xal-li yoomak yi^ad-di ! lay off! (stop teasing, interfering with, or taking part in, for a time) Will you please Lay off! I've got a lot of work to do at the moment. Xal-liik isboor ! j Jr—’! don’t be narrow-minded! (try to have or show a mind open to new arguments or ideas) Don't be narrow-minded! Your son is not an exception - it's the trend nowadays among many young people to quit home and live by themselves. Xal-liik gadaS; be a good chap/boy (would you please be kind and helpful by agreeing to do something that I would like you to do) Would you be a good chap and take one end of the chest of drawers? I can't manage it by myself. 0 Xal-liina ingiliizi ! L-b* let’s go Dutch! (to share the cost of a meal, visit to the cinema, etc. with someone) - Let me pay for the dinner. - Please, let's go Dutch! Xal-liiha fisir-rak mum’s the word! (keep silent about this matter) [mum is here used to describe the sound made by a person whose lips are tightly shut] I don't want anyone else to know about this affair until next week, so mum's the word!
J*0 44 a real bumpkin (an awkward foolish fellow, usually from the country,) My roommate is a real bumpkin, but I feel sorry for him when he lets everyone make fun of him. (j/u JУ) № daawini bil-lati kaanat hiya ad-daa?u a hair of the dog that bit one (a small drink of alcohol taken as a supposed cure by someone who is already suffering from the effects of drinking too much alcohol) [from the old belief that if a person was bitten by a mad dog he could be cured by putting some hairs from the dog's tail on the wound] dayra 2=ala hall Ojjb go out on the loose (of a woman: to be free from the rules of polite social behaviour and enjoying personal pleasures; do whatever one wishes and go wherever one wants, especially because one is unmarried) She's never at home before 12 midnight - she goes out on the loose with her friends from the club. dabb bajnu 4J23 stuff one hell of a meal (to eat too much; gorge oneself with food) I was so hungry that I stuffed one hell of a meal. 9 $ J в x О JO x 0 9 9 f. ?id-dibaan lazra? mayi^rafluuf tarii? gur-ra no-one shall see hide or hair of s.o. (there will be no sign or mark that shows the presence of someone) If you come back with this nonesense, no-one shall see hide or hair of you! of f t о 4, dab-ba? ?umuuru Oj make (both) ends meet (to spend no more than one earns) dahna dafniinu sawa ! * tell that to the marines! don’t give me that! (don't expect me to believe that) [refers to the fact that marines, naval soldiers who work both on ships and on land, were once considered by ordinary sailors to be bad seamen and therefore stupid] - I'm leaving you. - Oh, tell that to the marines! You can't live without me. daax is-saba^ du/aat have a terrible job ’cb (to find it very difficult to do something) When I came home late last night I had a terrible job to find my keys. ?id-dtftfr ?amaan jldJl the coast is clear (the danger is now past) You can come out now, the coast is clear. daari ^ala Jam^itak ti?iid don’t wear your heart on your sleeve [saying] (don't allow other people to know what you are planning, feeling, etc. or else things might go wrong) daa?i? ^asafiir jib [the literal Egyptian-Arabic translation, tattoed with sparrows (on each temple), comes from the manner of many Egyptian peasants; thus used to mean naive and stupid]
(to make someone pay for a crime, etc.) The thief was caught and brought to book. da?-?a ?adiima behind the times (old-fashioned; not fashionable, usual, etc., at the particular time) He's a good teacher, but his methods are behind the times. о Sx • • X i ?id-damm J**) ‘Ч* mayib?aaj mr/y-yr? blood is thicker than water [saying] (the relationship between people of the same family is stronger than other relationships) dimaayu ti?iila ДА* feel muzzy (to feel dull, gloomy or spiritless often as a result of drinking a lot of liquor) I felt muzzy in the crowded bar, so I went out for some fresh air. • X S X > • > dimaayu musaf-faha a night-owl (a person who stays up late at night because he cannot go to sleep) He's a night owl and spends the night listening to the radio. dam-mu baarid jb a stolid person (a person who is hard to arouse; not easily excited; showing no emotion) He's such a stolid person that his popularity is constantly going down. -» dam-mu hurr f a proud soul Being a proud soul she doesn't approve of the idea of living off others. * ' If dam-mu zayy ilba?? jJ' a drag (a person who is extremely boring) I don't like riding the bus back and forth with Bill every day - he's a real drag. Although he gets a poor salary, he can make ends meet; he never borrows money from anyone. » i • ' X X X • £• dab-buur wizann ! Oj j jyA £ala ^ij-ju ask for it! (to behave in a way that causes trouble to oneself) - Look, I had to divorce her. - I'm sure she asked for it! She used to treat you so badly. da%al bilhangal j wilmangal act the goat (to behave in a silly, foolish, or excited manner) Stop acting the goat! I want a serious answer to my question. da£al Jimaal fi... ride roughshod over someone (to treat someone without respect; treat roughly) [refers to riding a roughshod horse, i.e. one whose shoes have nails sticking out of them to prevent the animal from slipping on icy roads] He's a cruel person who loves to ride roughshod over other people. da%al mazaag... у take someone’s fancy (to cause a person to desire or develop a liking for something or someone) The dress in the window took her fancy and the next day she bought it. diraa£ ... ilyimiin someone’s right hand (acting as someone's chief or most trusted helper) His secretary was his right hand; he depended on her in everything. dafa^ taman garimtu bring to book
•U «—> UJ c-al^b?' UjB -»>•- - . 46 • • а Л a J » at I» iff Jji ?id-dinya mij <4^1-*-° UxJl misa^iy-ya... the world is someone’s oyster (all the chances or pleasures of life are open to someone, e.g. because he is young, successful, or rich) Since she won that money she can do anything she likes - the world's her oyster. ?id-dihn fil£ataa?i 0*^’ there’s still life in the old dog yet; the best wine comes in old bottles (used to express surprise when an old person does something one had not believed him able to do or by an old person himself when his abilities are doubted by others) - Look! That old man must be seventy years old and I see him every day go out with a new girl. - There's still life in the old dog yet. duus banziin ! step on the juice! (to increase the speed of a vehicle, especially a car) Come on, step on the juice or we will be late. dcel Jb) U Jji ik-kalb ^umru mayit^idil a leopard doesn’t/cannot change its spots [saying] (the basic character of human nature of a person cannot change) J^») fV 1 c-HSsJ) LijJl ?id-dinya it/ala?it fisaba^ tiy-yaam Rome was not built in a day [saying] (a job cannot be done properly if it is done hastily) What's the hurry. We still have plenty of time - Rome was not built in a day. ?id-dinya itsad-dit jij *3 OX-jI GjJI fiwiJJ... blocked at every turn (obstructed, hindered or held back at all times; wherever and whenever one looks, goes, etc.) I was blocked at every turn - what am I to do now? ?id-dinya 03LidJl iswad-dit fiwiJJ... someone’s world's turned to ashes (to lose hope of ever recovering from a misfortune) After his wife's death, his world's turned to ashes. ?id-dinya ^уау-уага it’s a small world Lull (used when one meets a person who has an unexpected connection with someone or something in one's past) When I was introduced to the new boss I realized that we'd both been to the same school. It's a small world.
zambu £ala gambu ! 4Ji that’s someone’s funeral! (that's the person's problem and he must accept what is likely to happen; often used in an unkind way to show that the speaker has little sympathy for the person referred to) If you want to risk going out without a coat in this weather, that's your funeral.
(a man who causes trouble) Bardy is a thorough pest. complains about trifles in childish way. roagil n/tl an insensitive lot He always a peevish, (a man who is slow to feel or notice) - You dare bite me, you bitch! - Do you want me to take it lying down, you insensitive lot? raczgil zayy il? almat/z (Jj j a gem of a fellow (a person who is very precious) That man is a gem of a fellow - you can trust his word. lYzagil sak-ka a born loser (a man who habitually loses or fails) Don't count on Jack; he's a born loser. r««gil yawiit J (as) deep as a well (a man who is difficult to assess or understand, because he keeps his thoughts, plans, etc., to himself) There's a lot we don't know about Harold. He's as deep as a well. raagil kub-Ьллгл сИ’Ь a big noise (an important or influential person) If you want to get a job in the new steel plant, talk to Ed; his father is a big noise in the steel industry. raogil m«bruuk (&j>) Jrb a man with a saintly air about him (a humble person possessing other qualities thought of as belonging to holy persons) Your father has a saintly air about him; every time I see him I know it's going to be my lucky day. raagil mira?-?a^ a city slicker nragil ba?f J-^b a real oaf (a very stupid, clumsy man) He was a real oaf of a man; he stumbled over the bucket spilling all the water. raagil tuhfa (nimra) J^b a real character (a man who attracts attention beacuse he is different or odd) Mario is a real character. He carries sandwiches in his pocket. raagil tranzistur J^b a pipsqueak (a petty, insignificant man) He could be a big wheel instead of a pipsqueak if he would just work harder. raagil gardal J^b a sucker; a dolt (a person who is easily deceived or tricked; simpleton) [a sucker refers to young animals that still suckle milk from their mothers] I'm no sucker. Let them go about their dirty tricks. raagil had-duuta (hikaaya) a sure card (a man whose action or the use of his name will ensure success) If your connection is that man, you'll get the job. He's a sure card. r«agil hu?na J^b a thorough pest
IaJT Jwju U wi—- <uulj 49 Ojlii т 1 j The whole situation was risky and I wouldn't let myself go to pot. iwh li?o£kw7 biriglee go like a lamb to the slaughter (without seeming to realize that one is about to enter a dangerous situation, especially one resulting in one's death) [from the Bible: "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.," (Isaiah 53:8] A great number of young men went off to war like lambs to the slaughter. rarzh loon wiga loon 0J Oj * 'j change colour (to blush, flush, or grow pale, show emotion in one's face accompanied by growing red/pale) If this young man means nothing to her, as she claims, why did she change colour at the mention of his name? r«flhit ^alee have had one’s day (to be no longer useful or successful) This actress used to be very popular but she's had her day now, I'm afraid. Tiraas ik-kibiira ^1 JI Mr Big; the big banana (the most important and influential person in a group, organization, etc.) Before he became Mr Big he was a much friendlier person. rr/flStfk abus-ha Ц—»jjl d-L>lj let’s make up (to settle a dispute; reconcile) I owe you an apology. Let's make up. raasu wi?alf J-**» cAr4 4-» 5 seef mayi^mil ... wild horses wouldn’t/couldn’t make someone do something (nothing would make a person do something) Wild horses wouldn't make him go to school again. If there's anything he hates (a smart, fast-dealing, fast-talking person, possibly not entirely honest) - I'm not one of those city-slickers you're used to. - Mind your language, will you? галЬ frlaara wingaara OjbJj OjULi go down the drain (to be wasted lost, etc.) He made a lot of money, but being a gambler it all went down the drain. r««h fabu nikla u) * lj go for a burton (to be destroyed, ruined, killed, etc.) [a burton is a bottle of beer made at Burton-on-Trent. The phrase was originally military, meaning to be absent or dead] He was caught at the airport with two bags of cocaine. He definitely went for a burton. ratzh fik-kazuuza be a complete flop (to be a failure) His last book was a complete flop. He didn't sell a copy. raah fitookar come to a sticky end (to come to some misfortune, especially an unpleasant death) I'm sure he came to a sticky end while hunting lions in Africa. rtzah fitiis be a total write-off (to end up a waste; for nothing, in vain) The house was a total write-off. I sold it for half the price I paid a few months ago. rat/h li? а&аа oUaiJ * lj go to pot (go to ruin; disintegrate) [in a steal foundry, scraps and refuse are thrown into a pot; cannibals (persons who eat human flesh) put their victims into a pot and boil them; ashes of the dead are put into pots or urns]
п/bl kalaam an earnest (money paid in advance as a pledge for the rest) The couple paid five thousand pounds as an earnest on the flat until they can go to the bank on Monday to get the rest of the money. rt/b-binr/ taab ^alee Ц) kick the habit (to completely abandon, give up a habit: the reference usually being to something harmful or foolish, e.g. addiction, smoking, etc.) He had been on addict on hard drugs but he managed to kick the habit for good. rab-bina U bj mayhak-kimak ^ala walaaya may God never put you in charge of a helpless woman! - I insisted on her leaving the house at three in the morning. - May God never put you in charge of a helpless womanl » , 0,0 4, rt/b-bina mayi?tai= !oob Ь I» bj lina £aada God forbid that I should change a custom (a formula said when the speaker is not willing, and does not have the intention to change a long-established habit) - Are you going to donate the same amount of money to the charitable institution? - God forbid that I should change a custom. rt/b-binr/ 'j ^1 <4 JaJl bj у ibafbif it-tuuba il-li taht raasu [the literal translation of the Egyptian-Arabic idiom, may God soften the stone head-rest under someone's head in the grave, shows part of the burial traditions of Muslims in Egypt: the placing of a stone block under the deceased person's head! it's books. гаа^а sin-nu act one’s age (to behave in the way expected of anyone of one's age, especially not to behave in a childish or foolish way) Sit down and act your age - you're not young any more. raakib dimaayu APbi be bent on (to be determined to do something ) I've been trying for hours to talk him off the idea of going abroad, but he seems to be bent on leaving anyway. rakbu ^afriit sitting on tenterhooks (to be in a state of anxiety or full of expectation) [refers to cloth-making. The finished cloth is stretched on a frame called a tenter and attached to it by means of hooks (tenterhooks)] His examination results are going to arrive this morning. He was sitting on tenterhooks all day yesterday thinking about them. raami git-titu 4=^- a nuisance (a person who annoys, troubles, offends, or is disageeable) He was such a nuisance. It took us two hours to persuade him that the job did not suit him. rab-bd li... il/afiif lead someone a merry/pretty dance (to cause a person great or unnecessary trouble, especially by changing one's mind before making a final decision or agreement) She led her husband a merry dance before she married him because she had so many other boyfriends.
51 АХДдЛ 4Xj CJUTj rudd rrzd-dit ilmdy-ya *4*' - J fizoorak spit it out!; out with it! (say what one has to say; speak one's message, request, etc.: used as a command to someone who is being slow or unwilling to express something) You've come here to ask for money, haven't you? Come on, spit it out1. а Л о £ radd sguun j a jailbird (a person who has been in jail many times) You must be crazy - how can I take a jailbird for a partner - he's got a lengthy record in the police department riz? ilhibl J") Jjjj talmaganiin there’s one born every minute (there's always someone who can be easily deceived into a bargain) - I sold my old car to someone who paid me double what it's really worth. - Well, there's one born every minute. rasam £ala ... '•« c j have designs on someone, something (to wish to have sexual relations with someone; wish to possess something) Be careful of that bad man - he has designs on you. risi ^ala barr j> j reach a conclusion; settle the matter I'm not going to let him know anything about the deal until I reach a conclusion. ra?ad Ejala ?irjeen J have some cash stashed away (to hide or put away some money for future use) He had some cash stashed away for old age when he gets retired. may God rest someone’s soul (an invocation to God that He may have mercy on someone who has died) rig^it J=*) ‘Ч- riima li^adit-ha il?adiima old habits die hard (old habits cannot be easily changed or got rid of) Smoking again? You said you stopped it - old habits die hard. >) u cA* ?ir-rigl tidibb m«tr«h mat-bibb one’s feet follow one’s fancy [saying] (a person is often attracted to the place where he has developed a liking for something or someone) - He has been a regular goer to the cinema on the corner! - One's feet follow one's fancy - he's in love with the girl who books the tickets. 0^ 9 9 Я9 riglu wil?obr have one foot in the grave (to be near death) Their father is still in very good health, but they always treat him as though he had one foot in the grave. 0 9 9 9 riglee hifyit 4-b-j go to great lengths (to do everything that is necessary to obtain a desired result; to look very carefully in every possible place for someone or something that has been lost or is hard to obtain) He went to great lengths until she finally agreed to marry him. i • >>» » » ruht wu?ult ^id-duuli long time no see! (said to someone who has not been seen or heard of for a long time) - Jonas, old friend - long time no seel - Yes, I've been away for quite a while.
52 salt (to doubt that something, especially a statement, is completely true, important effective, etc.) I discovered that the stories he told me about his childhood were all lies, so now I take everything he says with a grain of salt. rahn il?i/r;aro jAj at someone’s beck and call (ready or forced to obey the orders, wishes, etc., of another person) How awful it is to be at your wife's beck and call. roohu ba?at fimana/iiru at/near the end of one’s rope/tether (the condition of having used up one's patience, powers, strength, etc., and of being able to bear nothing more) [refers to grazing animals that were tied to stakes and free to move only as far as the length of the rope allowed] He never complained, so he must have been near the end of his rope when he suddenly resigned. ray-yah nafsak wJ—ju save your breath (stop talking because your words are not having any effect) Save your breath. She will never listen to you while she's feeling like that. rihtu za£=a?it C-да j stink to high heaven/hell (of food, a dead body, etc.: to have an extremely unpleasant smell) That fish must be a week old. It stinks to high heaven. rihtu faahit *^*4; be in bad odour (of a person: disapproved of or not well thought of) He had been in bad adour for sometime, so it was no surprise when they asked him to ?ir-rak Salhajw it’s the person inside that makes the clothes (a complimentary formula meant to praise both the item of clothing and the person wearing it) - What do you think of my new blouse? - It's the person inside that makes the clothes. rikib ilmooga jl' <-3*j jump on the bandwagon (to begin to do what other people are doing) [refers to a band of musicians who are leading a march, especially for a politician who is making speeches and trying to win votes before an election] You'd be the first one to jump on the bandwagon if you saw someone else making a lot of money without much effort. rukabu saabit CjL-i shake like a jelly (to tremble with fear or great anxiety) The boy shook like a jelly when the teacher asked him to answer the question. J о J -x rama iuubit ... Xjb give up on someone (to have no more hope for someone to learn, improve, etc.) The doctor gave up on the new nurse. She's not learning anything at all. rama ... ramyit ik-kilaab kick someone out like a smelly old rag (to expel or turn out in a humiliating or disgraceful way) After ten years of devoting herself to him and his children, he kicked her out like a smelly old rag without a penny to live on. rama nuss kalaam ... ilbczhr take what someone says with a grain of
53 prospect of food; feel eager to have leave. something) rii?u sjiri 4A>j His mouth watered at the sight of the fresh one's mouth waters mussels in the fish market. (to feel hungry at the thought, smell, or
54 false excuses and now they seem to have got her over a barrel because the wedding has been announced to take place next week. zaw-wid it-tiina bal-la <uJaJl ijj add fuel to the flames/fire (to make an already difficult situation worse by one's actions or words) Nothing would help him when he became worried; words of encouragement just added fuel to the flames. zayy il?arnab cowed (scared) Many people were cowed by the threats of the bully. zayy ilburs jp shrivelled (a person who is thought to be useless or helpless because he is small in appearance) That porter is shrivelled; I don't think he can carry the suitcases for you. • x * « Ox * x H „ zayy ilbat-tii/a aJ jaaII ilma?fuula lucky dip (taking whatever may be obtained without previous knowledge of what this may be) Getting married to someone you don't really know is going to be the sort of lucky dip. zayy ilbilyatfu done up like a dog’s dinner (wearing bright showy clothes, especially to impress other people) She was done up like a dog's dinner just to go to the pictures. Did you see the striking colours she was wearing? о e 4 * > zayy it-toor ilhaayig like a bull in a china shop (in a rough awkward manner, like someone knocking into and breaking things) Instead of trying to persuade the bank to lend him the money, the man went about it zibuun su?£ jj a prize customer (a free-spending regular shopper or a generous client) Here's another prize customer; he gives a lot of tips to everyone in the store. zar£ basal J-а» upside down (having what should be on top at the bottom) He was painting the ceiling when he fell off the ladder upside down, and his head was seriously hurt. zim-ma ?astik flexible conscience (conscience that yields to influence or persuasion and therefore can accommodate itself to different contradictory principles) You can't trust his word - he has a flexible conscience. J ® X «* X zann ^ala widaan ... jj have someone's ear (to be able to influence someone, obtain his help by having an access to him and talking to him all the time) He has great influence on his father because he has his ear all the time. zana? ... fi/ant ilyakk dJJ' jij have (got) someone over a barrel (to have someone in such a position that he has no free choice and can do only what one wants him to do) She did not want to marry her cousin, but her parents were not convinced by her
» - • i « г j 55 [the second idiom perhaps refers to the clappers of a bell, which move very quickly when the bell is rung] He ran out of the house like a bat out of hell to escape from the police. zayy iz-zift someone's name is mud (a negative reference to a person who is much disliked or is in great disfavour) [refers to Samuel Mudd, the doctor who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Mudd was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement with Booth, and although he was pardoned four years later, his name became associated with one who has committed a condemnable or unpopular action] Ever since he made such trouble at our party last Christmas his name has been mud around here. о , * # , zayy iz-zeeba? as slippery as an eel (someone who is very difficult to get answers from) I advise you not to do business with him - he's as slippery as an eel - you can't get a definite answer from him. zayy is-saa^a 4tUJl as regular as clockwork (very regular; regularly) He is as regular as clockwork - he goes to the bank every Monday at exactly the same time. » < a i # , zayy is-suhlifa дДл-Jl as slow as molasses (in January) (extremely slow) [molasses (a sweet, brown syrup obtained in the process of making sugar from sugar cane) thickens in cold weather and therefore runs very slowly when poured out] When Ralph is doing something he likes, he's pretty quick, but in doing these other things he's as slow as molasses in January. top physical like a bull in a china shop, and did not get anything at all as a result. zayy ig-gabal JJ*' as tough as old boots (very tough, especially very strong and able to bear pain, hardship, etc.; not easily ’ moved by pity) My grandfather broke his leg, but that didn't stop him from working in the garden. He's as tough as old boots. zayy ilhus««n feel one’s oats (to feel energetic; be in condition) [a horse full of oats (a type of grain) often displays its energy] Once he got himself established again, he would be feeling his oats. zayy il/aatim fisb««^ ... (like) putty in someone’s hands (easily influenced by someone; willing to do as someone wants) Buy a woman a few pretty flowers and she'll be putty in your hands - you'll be able to make her agree to anything. zayy il/azuu? stick out like a sore thumb (to seem very unsuitable, awkward, out of place, etc.) The dinner is formal; if you don't wear the correct clothes, you'll stick out like a sore thumb. »S S ft zayy ir-mziy-y« a white elephant (a very costly possession that is worthless to its owner and only a cause of trouble) The car we bought last year is a white elephant; it uses a lot of petrol and breaks down again and again. о X $ * x zayy ir-rahrzwa«n O'jAjJl like a bat out of hell; like the clappers (very quickly)
56 0 0$ (to have no right to express one's opinion; have no power to influence something) It would be wiser if you asked his wife as he has no say in anything. » , » z i 1 , zayy it-tamflliTWflytf «uUkJdl as red as a lobster (badly sunburned) After a day at the beach, we were all as red as a lobster. zayy il£ala?a like a leech (someone or something that persistently hangs on to another person, and whose usefulness or importance is of very little consequence) [a leech is a worm, living in ponds and streams that sucks the blood of the body. Doctors formely used leeches to suck blood from sick people] The police informer stuck to me like a leech wherever I went. 0 x * fix®/ £ x zayy il^umla in-nadra OjiUl like gold dust (to be very scarce and therefore valuable) Good plumbers are like gold dust these days - I just can't find one to fix the water pipe in the garden. » X » * r zayy ilfakha a rare bird (a person or thing not met or seen very often) [a translation of the Latin phrase rara avis, a saying describing something very unusual] You're a rare bird in the village these days, Mr. Smith. Why don't you leave a phone number? О x 9 И» 9 x • x ® * X zayy ilfarya id-day/a a lame duck (a person who is weak or a failure, especially so weak that he must depend on others for help) A man without a woman is as helpless as a zayy is-samn ^al^asal J— like two lovebirds (as complementary as butter and honey, or peanut butter and jelly) They made up and were once again like two lovebirds. zayy is-sonyurra look like a million dollars (of women and girls: to look very attractive) She was wearing her new dress, and there was already a group of men standing around her when she arrived. She looked like a million dollars. », i •* , zayy is-suusa 4-J* a scheming creep (a person who makes tricky plots, especially evil ones) Be careful of that girl in the blue jeans - she's a scheming creep. Try to be as brief as you can if she asks you any questions. « » # * , zayy if-Jiriik ilmi/aalif j at loggerheads (with someone) (disagreeing or quarrelling with someone) The government and the trade unions rarely agree to the same thing; they are always at loggerheads. О X »» i> H zayy ij-jam-maama as bald as a coot (of a person, especially a man, with no hair on top of the head) [refers to a bird with a spot of white feathers on its head] Our history teacher is as bald as a coot; If I were him I wouldn't take off my hat in class. > * # z zayy is-saruux beat the band (very fast) The police car was speeding down the highway to beat the band. zayy it-tniluur have no say/voice
laJl 57 have been a changelling - she's very irritable. zayy ilmay-ya a piece of cake; as easy as pie (very easy; requiring no effort at all) The examination was a piece of cake. The allowed time was two hours, but I finished it all in 40 minutes. zayy ilwizz J**) ji 4/j hiny-ya bila bizz like a dry nurse (showing care and affection in words not in actions) [a dry nurse is a nurse who takes care of a baby, but does not suckle it] That rich man in the charitable society is like a dry nurse; he always makes wonderful speeches but never donates a penny. 9 x 9 9 <0 x zayy ilwiltja a go-getter (an energetic person who tries hard for and usually gets what he is after) If you want that job done in no time ask the new office boy - he's such a go-getter. zayy tanablit is-sultoan JlloLJl iLU [the Egyptian-Arabic idiom refers to three fairy-tale characters of legendary indolence whose only job was to amuse the sultan] (as) indolent as lotus eaters (lazy dreamy people who are only concerned with their own pleasures and comfort) [from a story in Homer's Odyssey about people who eat the fruit of a tree (the LOTUS) and so forget about their friends and homes and live in an inactive state] The people in this rich country are as indolent as lotus eaters - they think only of amusing themselves and have no interest in the problems of the rest of the world. * X * x zayy d«k«r ilbr/Ц JaJl a sitting duck (a defenceless person who can easily be hit lame duck. zayy il?irj ilbrzr-raani like a bad penny (to turn up again and again when not wanted or liked, but usually difficult to avoid) Once he gets an entry into anybody's home, he keeps turning up like a bad penny. zayy il?ar£ j£) -Uj yimidd librzr-ra march to a different drummer (a person who offers to help, and who supports or does favours to people other than his own group such as family, relatives, friends, etc.) My cousin, Dick isn't going to vote for me; he always marches to a different drummer. zayy ilk-katkuut JjHl О ilmabluul look like a drowned rat (to be very wet, especially after coming into a dry place from the rain) After the storm she looked like a drowned rat. zayy ik-kuhl as dark as pitch (especially of the night or night sky: very black/dark) When the lights went out it was as dark as pitch in the room. zayy il-li fatah Jjak-ka like the cat that stole the cream (satisfied; gloating) Look! There's Eddy holding the Cup and looking like the cat that stole the cream. >99 x zayy ilmabduul JjXll a changeling (of a child who is supposed to have been left by fairies in place of another carried off by them) That adopted daughter of the gypsies must
58 one is unsure of what to do) The young man kept on the hop for four hours while he was waiting to hear the result of the interview. zayy k/htit il?ijta дкЛдП hot stuff (a girl who is very attractive) Look! That girl certainly is hot stuff. zayy mawaladitu um-mu 4*1 j U in one’s birthday suit (the state of being completely undressed) I went into the bathroom and found my brother in his birthday suit. ziyatt il/eer yjreen so much the better (one can have too much of a good thing) - You shouldn't have brought those baked fish; there's already plenty of food for everyone. -So much the better. or attacked) We're sitting ducks here; we'll have to move around behind the hills or else can get shot. zayy Jah-hatiin is-say-yida (as) swarming and insistent as beggars On my way to the cinema I met a sorry-looking bunch of young teenagers who were as swarming and insistent as beggars. » £ ® < X zay £igl ?abiis <^*-4 like the side of a house (very fat or large) She is getting like the side of a house - she really must try to lose some weight. zayy fur?u| looz on the hop (very active or nervous, usually because
59 а , , • a S> & • * *_jLj (used derisively: a vain empty-headed man; conceited dandy) - Who's going to go in first? -That coxomb leaning on the secretary's desk and talking to her as if the company is his own. sit ik-kull C—• a jewel among women (a woman who is very precious and therefore distinguished, especially when compared to others) You're the best of all - a jewel among women. sit wigaryiteen ^ala ?alyy bit-teen >) ajjUu J* sit wigarya Sjala s«hn bisarya take a sledgehammer to crack a walnut (to waste a lot of effort in dealing with a small difficulty) Three men spent all day yesterday mending my telephone. One man could have done the job in half an hour. It was like taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. srzjzzr ^ala ... make an honest woman (out) of her (of a man: to marry a woman, especially when she has had a sexual relationship with him for some time or has had many love affairs) Me make an honest woman out of her? I'm not the marrying type . sahab (garr) naa^im (л) change one’s tune (to change one's opinions, decisions, etc., and so act or talk in a different way in order to please another person who is often higher in rank) So you agree with Mr. Brown's idea now? You've changed your tune since yesterday. sahab ruW; *4j have forty winks J**) ***jJl £ JaJjlj jlU-l yb saab ilhumrrar wif-Jai-tar ^albardaJja punish the weak for the faults of the strong She was afraid of what her husband might do to her if she asked him why he and their son had been late, so she got rid of her bad temper by attacking the son. She punished the weak for the faults of the strong. ® S f a saab ... mitnof-Jar uU keep someone kicking/cooling his heels (to have nothing to do, especially while being kept waiting) They kept him kicking his heels for nearly two hours before he could see the boss, saa? ilhabaala a-kJjl £ 4JL4JI %af-faytana play the fool; act the stupid (to behave foolishly, sometimes in order to escape the blame for something wrong, sometimes to amuse other people) Come down and stop playing the fool - I've got a few things to say to you, and you'd better listen. subhaan a\-aa fijab^tzk dAJl JbtlL» I can’t make you out! (I can't understand you: said to someone who is difficult to deal with) I can't make you out! Only yesterday you said you would be going with us, and now you say you're staying home. sabS ilburumbtz M [‘burumba’ is a district in Guiza province] a coxcomb; swank
6 60 J* (a price or charge made that is too high that the customer might almost think he is being robbed of his money) The prices in this restaurant are unbelievable - it’s absolute daylight robbery. sir-ru baati^ оj~> have the power of saints (a person who is thought to possess qualities that belong to holy people, e.g. spiritual powers, etc.) That man must have the power of saints - whenever he makes a wish it comes true. » i * - saff it-luraflb Olyjl U- have a tough time (to work very hard, especially in humiliating conditions) After her husband's death she had a tough time trying to earn enough money to eat. sa?a ... min nafs ik-kaas pay someone back in his own/the same coin (to punish a person for offending or harm- ing one by treating him in the same way) / was determined to get revenge; to pay him back in his own coin for the wrongs he had done to us. saf-fif ... iHuraab give someone a hell of a time (to cause trouble for a person, make his life unpleasant, scold him) His father was very cruel; he gave him a hell of a time when he failed his examinations. #,» * • ?is-sik-ka il-li twad-di good riddance! (used to show that one is pleased that a person or thing is no longer present or will no longer annoy one) That friend of yours who talks all the time has just left - good riddance*. sikitnaalu J**) J UsL- da/al bihmr/r/ru give someone an inch and he will take a (to have a short sleep, especially during the day; take a nap) Grandfather always likes to have forty winks after his dinner. sa/sa/ ^ala roohu > laugh like a drain (to laugh noisily with feeling and vigour) It was a wonderful comedy. I laughed like a drain most of the way. sadd /aana Xj a stopgap (a person or something that fills the place of another; temporary substitute) We ought to send our new secretary as a stopgap until we find a permanent representative. ?is-sirr il?ilaahi tili^ c* P7I pi give up the ghost* (to die) It was a bad accident. He seems to have given up the ghost. *ghost in this phrase means a person's spirit, о 4 ?is-stzraoyfl is-safra the Laughing Academy (a lunatic asylum and institution for the care, education of mentally handicapped, or mentally ill people) Well, if I worried about that sort of thing I'd end up in the Laughing Academy in one of those waiter's jackets with arms sewn together. sar?aa is-sik-kiina «uJxljl oli lost touch with reality; living in a world of false hopes (to be so absorbed in unreal and impractical things that one fails to act or respond appropriately) You're not young any more, and you should be thinking of getting married before it is too late. You seem to have lost touch with reality. sir?a ^eeni ^eenak d-L-t- daylight robbery
61 Go to it, John! You can get the work finished in an hour if you really try. suu? ik-kantu Jjj-*’ flea market (a market, often a street market, dealing in all sorts of junk and odd items) [supposedly because of the fleas found in secondhand articles; apparently translation of French marche aux puces] Any guidebook will tell you how to find flea markets. saw-wa ilhawaayil Jjl^l do wonders (to work very efficiently; have very successful results) My husband can do wonders. Yesterday he convinced our boss into signing a six-week paid vacation for both of us. saw-wa hisaabu ma^a... settle accounts/old scores with someone (to punish and so get revenge on a person who has harmed one) I settled accounts with him for speaking so rudely to me. saw-wa ... ^ag-gambeen rake someone over the coals (to criticize someone strongly) [refers to an old practice of obtaining money from people by dragging them over hot coals until they agreed to pay] He raked his wife over the coals for something beyond her control. say-yah bik-kalaam blow the gaff (to reveal a secret about a person or thing) [the phrase is perhaps based on a meaning of gaff, mouth, thus blow the gaff= open one's mouth] I used somebody else's invitation card to get into the party, and nobody would have known if my brother had not blown the gaff. yard/mile [saying] (if one yields partly to a person's demands or desires he will take advantage of this by making even greater demands) salt malt C-Ь d-> in the altogether; in the buff (often humorous: without any clothes on) Jerry had just got out of the bath when I arrived. Wait a minute, will you? I'm still in the altogether. sal? beed ji-» cutting corners (doing something in the easiest or quickest way, e.g. by using a simpler method, disregarding rules, safety, etc.) No cutting corners. Sorry but the old rules still stand. i. t *, sal-lim in-nimar be past it (no longer capable of doing one's work or the things that one formerly did; too old) He's got married at 73? I should have thought he was past it. • i 4 > » i nuss ig-gamaal JM-' jU-J' black is beautiful (one's blackness is something to be proud of; black is a good thing to be) sama^ huss action satations! (everybody get ready for what's coming! used when something expected and prepared for is actually about to happen) [originally a naval or military command ordering the men to their prepared positions when fighting is expected to begin] Action stations, everyone! The boss will announce a very interesting piece of news. sam-mi bill-laa !«dJL » go to it! (to start to do something with all one's energy)
62 jU>- ji-j> J jAJ о JeUJl It would be too much if I asked the boss for a vacation; he's been featherbedding me since I came here. Jaal wihtftt finafsu x-ii J Li take it to heart (to be greatly influenced by something unpleasant; grieve over) I didn't cry, but I took it to heart all day. Jaalit bur?u^ ilhaya *3^ cJLi behave in a shameless fashion (of a woman: to behave boldly sometimes disgracefully without this feeling of having done something wrong or improper) That young woman next door behaves in a shameless fashion. She certainly will bring bad reputation to her family. ?ij-jaami ^almt/yrr/bi extremes meet (two or more people or things of very opposite natures, qualities, etc., meet, come into contact or conflict with each other) Alec and his wife are not a bit like each other I suppose it is a case of extremes meeting. Jaayil £abd il?aadir jiUJl JjLi carrying the cares of the world on one's shoulders (bearing others' berdens of sorrow, duty, etc.; assuming responsibility for everything that goes wrong) What a look in our eyes! You seem to be carrying the cares of the world on your shoulders. Jabra? £inee J feast one's eyes (to look with enjoyment at something pleasant) We feasted our eyes on those French models we saw last night. Jabra? nafsu x-uii treat oneself (to enjoy oneself by eating, drinking, etc., ?ij-jt/tra Jb) Jrу. JjAJ ajbUJl tiyzil birigl hmrzrzr where there’s will there’s way [saying] (when a person is determined to do something, however difficult it may be, he will find a way of doing it) Jaflu Joofa J LjLi have a bit on the side (to have a sexual relationship with a woman or man other than one's wife or husband) I think my husband might be having a bit on the side - he stays out a lot and comes home with false excuses. Jaflu yumeen ride the gravy train (the condition of having a lot of money that has been gained easily or through unexpected good fortune) My father believes that the only good reason for working in the Gulf countries is to ride the gravy train. Jaal c,an ... J Li carry the can for someone (to accept the responsibility for what someone has done) I always had to carry the can for my younger brother when he broke anything. Jaal... £ala jLi kufuuf ir-n/t/ht/ featherbed someone (to arrange work for someone under very comfortable conditions)
J* 63 чХЛ X> be kicked out in a few minutes. L/rc/b ik-kc/z/r (is-y/n^zz) j-i» imbibe the trade with his mothers milk (to take into one's mind the details and the skills of a trade from early childhood; talented) I'm lucky to have someone like Bob in the store with us; he must've imbibed the trade with his mother's milk. Jt/rc/b ilma?lab оyj swallow the trick (to believe too easily; accept without question or suspicion, e.g. an action that is meant to deceive or cheat one) She seems to have swallowed the trick! She phoned Alice and told her she would go to the cinema and wait for us there. Jr/шЬ min damm ... ‘-’j-*’ beat the living daylights out of someone (to give a good beating to someone; beat or hit violently: often used in threats) If I see you with my daughter again, I'll beat the living daylights out of you. juyl it-talat wara?aat о MJ' jki monkey business (action likely to cause trouble, especially tricks or unlawful or unfair activities) I was told they are honest, but it seems there's far too much monkey business going on around here. Juyl bulutiika J*-*' cant; whitewash (talk that is not sincere; the act of covering up faults or mistakes) You're not going to deceive me with this cant -1 want a straightforward answer. for starters (as the first of several objects, facts, activities, etc.; first of all; to begin with) la starter is the first course of a meal] I get 50 pounds a week for starters, and in a free-spending manner) He never misses the chance to treat himself whenever he has enough money. Jadd is-salx £ala ... <L-Ji Xi make cruel fun of someone (to laugh at or make humorous remarks about a person or cause other to laugh at him; ridicule) She made cruel fun of her boyfriend in front of everybody in the room; he left and never came back. Jidd heclak (') !xLL?- Xi pull your socks up! (1) (to make a serious effort to improve the quality of one's work) Pull your socks up, there! you've done less work this morning than I've done in ten minutes. Jiddheelak (Y) ! xlL?- Xi pull yourself together! (2) (to get control of one's mind or energies, especially when one is feeling depressed, worried, etc.) You’d better pull yourself together look at the bright side of life. ?ij-J</rr biynutt min ^inee jx!' looking daggers (giving fierce or angry looks to a person, especially without speaking) Her husband was looking daggers at her for being rude to his guests. fur-roabit xurg r [the literal translation of the Egyptian-Arabic idiom is saddle tassel (a hanging bunch of hairs, threads or the like fastened together at one end and attached to a donkey's saddle) which is thought to be worthless compared to the saddle or the donkey] a feckless fellow (an ineffective, worthless person) - Who's going to speak for us? - Brian. - He’s such a feckless fellow - I'm sure we'll
64 As soon as he heard the siren he made off like greased lightning. fee? wijway-yaat obj-ij t-i an arm and a leg (a large amount of money) Laura's new car is a real luxury - it must have cost her an arm and a leg. 9 Г Jay-yilni wajay-yilak IdALilj you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours! (you help me or do something in my favour and I'll help you in return) - You lend me the tractor and I let you store the crops in my barn. - Is that so? -Yes, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours! any work I take home with me is paid for separately. Jaklu mij htzy^m-mtrr j-**j r not make old bones (not to live to be very old) He has a weak heart. I'm afraid he won't make old bones. Jamm nafasu 4—ub be able to breathe again (to feel free from worry after a time of difficulty or danger) We were in a small boat during the storm, but it stopped after an hour and we were able to breathe again. Jam-ma^ ilfatla 4ЫЛ make off like greased lightning (to run away very fast)
(no feelings of bitterness: usually said to of- fer friendeship to a person with whom one has just had a fight or argument) - I'm really sorry for what I said. - Oh, no hard feelings, we can take a bit of sport. о - » i rt?ba«h r bj * L-aJ' let’s call it a night (to stop an activity at sometime in the evening or night) I'm tired; let's call it a night and go to bed. □ x H x 0 sih-hitu zayy ilward in the pink (in good health) - How are your children? - They are all in the pink, thank God. s<7d-d«r it-tarfa 4JujUaJl turn a deaf ear (to refuse to listen to something, especially a request) I'm sure he turned a deaf ear to their complaints because they all came out of his office with the look of frustration on their faces. sidr hinay-yin jr?" a shoulder to cry on (a person who offers kindness and sincere sympathy in times of trouble) She often returns to her parents' home knowing that her mother will always provide a shoulder to cry on. sidru waasi^ have broad shoulders (to be able to accept criticism without becoming distressed) Don't worry about talking to him like that. He's got broad shoulders. 0 Jo „ sar-rii/ ibn yumeen CH' a living soul (used in negative contexts: a single human being) It was a desolate place; I looked right and sabitu Sjeen 4л U? catch the evil eye (to be affected by the power that some people are supposed to have of causing harm or bringing bad luck to others by looking at them) He caught the evil eyewhen he fell off his horse and broke his leg. saahib ?izaaza oj*Ji ч-^U? drink like a fish (to be accustomed to drinking a great deal of alcohol) The man drinks like a fish. He's drunk every night. saahib keef a bon vivant (a person who is fond of good food and luxury) The new employee is a real bon vivant, every morning he brings his own pot of coffee with him to the office. Sfldlib mazaag a connoisseur (an expert, especially in matters of taste) It takes a connoisseur like you to distinguish between these types of textile. $аау saliim (t-U> safe and sound (safe and unharmed) All his sons returned safe and sound from the war. saafi ya laban no hard feelings
or worries, especially by talking about them) I think a good argument is the best way to clear the air, but they refuse to argue. left but found not a living soul. Sdf-ftf ig-gaww clear the air (to reduce or get rid of difficulties, doubts.
67 answer to a difficult problem) Whenever the subject of marriage comes up, I am at sixes and sevens - I have no experience in this. d</r<?b ?isfiin «-И drive a wedge (to try to spoil an intimate relationship, especially by creating suspicion between the parties concerned) All the time he's trying to drive a wedge between me and my girlfriend; he doesn't like me. d</r</b id-dinya к/br/ngr/ 1 let the world go hang (to stop caring about or taking notice of anything) Since his wife left him he has become more and more untidy and has let the world go hang. d</rr/b bulk? take a stroll; bum around (to take a quiet walk for pleasure; walk around aimlessly) The weather is gorgeous today - let's take a stroll down the country road. dr/nzb buuz jje pout (to thrust or push out the lips when one is displeased or sulky) She pouted when she heard that her husband might take his secretary with him on the business trip. dt/rt/b salaam ♦Jsaj take one’s hat off (to show admiration for a person) When I meet a woman that supports her family, I take my hat off to her. Я 9* Я Я 9 „ „ dr/rt/b suhubiy-yt? о ma;a... start the old pals act with soneone (to show very friendly behaviour to someone, especially when pretended in ck л/rib lax ma all at sea (in a state of mental confusion) During the first few weeks of his new job the young teacher was all at sea. 9 0$ 9 Я9 dr/rbu is-silk dJULJl «UjUb down and out (without a job or other means of support; homeless and living on the streets, especially in a large city) Unemployment is widespread these days, and thousands of young men and women are down and out. dihk £ad-du?uun jyjJl £ flat knavery (behaviour characterized by trickery and dishonesty) Talking about and maybe giving a few increments is fashionable only during election time, but soon everything gets back to normal, this is flat knavery. dahak fisir-ru aj-» laugh up one’s sleeve (to laugh to oneself; be amused secretly) Throughout the conversation she was laughing up her sleeve; she didn't want anyone to notice. drm/b ?a/mass J fi?asdaas at sixes and sevens; rack one’s brain(s) (in a state of confusion, e.g. not having reached agreement or made a decision about something; to think hard about something, especially to try to work out the
than he has. dalrrw kuhl J9*0 as dark as pitch (especially of the night or night sky: very dark) It was as dark as pitch inside the church. о Л ф • X d«man figeebu j**9 in the bag (certain; sure) The meeting went off very well and we knew that the contract was in the bag. 0 > » > , > > d</y-ya£ ilfursa min J* ?iidu miss the boat/bus (to be too late or fail to take advantage of a chance when it is offered) Don't miss the boat! Take advantage of our free offer now! order to gain an advantage in business) The man started the old pals act with me when he discovered I was in charge of the shop. dt/rt/b ... aJ Jb U Дл) *—< lihadd mabanlu sifraab knock someone into the middle of next week (to strike or hit a person very hard) The little boy had to do as he was told or his master would have knocked him into the middle of next week. dufru bira?abit... оA-iP have more goodness in one’s little finger than someone has (to be a very much better, kinder, more virtuous person than another) She has more goodness in her little finger
J’jaJI (4j C-r) 69 ^LsJ1 ^blb (to work very hard) We all sweated blood to get the work finished before night. lal-lflSj zarabiinu ^ala ... let fly at someone (to become very angry, especially to shout violently at someone) The teacher let fly at the disobedient child. lilic £ala fajuuf go up in smoke (to have no practical result; end in nothing) Their hope for a really good holiday went up in smoke when their children became ill on the day before they were going to leave. liliS, fiiha Ц-9 put on airs; give oneself airs (to behave as if one is more important, grander, etc., than one is, especially to impress others) Because they have two cars she is always putting on airs. tili^ milmuulid bala f hum-mus be cut off without a penny (to be left with little or no money; gain nothing) He was cut off without a penny when he refused to join the family business. tili^ min huduumu «ujJa vlb blow up (in anger or exasperation) (to lose one's temper; become very angry) The bad weather made him blow up. tilij; J**) (4-^) J--* na?bu S=ala Joona (fady«) have another guess coming (to be mistaken or wrong, especially in one's expectations) So Burns is counting on me to lend him money? He's got another guess coming - I don't have a penny for myself. til^it Salee aJIjAJI (<J (gatlu) ilyazaala get one of those whims kzta ilbasiila 41 л .И put one’s head down (to bow or lower one's head) Ask the man in front of us to put his head down or we won't be able to see much of the race. Itzbb fik-kalaam jc&i J Lb commit oneself unwittingly (to reveal one's opinions, plans, etc. unknowingly, unintentionally or unconsciously) At one moment she forgot all about the promise she made to her husband when she committed herself unwittingly, and everybody knew they were going to spend the summer holidays in Spain. tczrtc/? widaanu prick up one’s ears (to become suddenly very interested; listen very closely to what is being said) He certainly pricked up his ears when you told him about your good luck. tar-ra ^al?alb (5) soothe the nerves (1) (to quiet; calm; comfort) Spending a few days by the sea soothes the nerves. tur-rci Bal?alb (T) uJUdl £ cS jb quench thirst (2) (to put an end to or stop one's thirst) A glass of lemonade is sure to quench your thirst. U/lzjh ik-kuuta 4jjxJI sweat blood
(the person who knows how to wait patiently rather than make hasty attempts to fulfil his desires will be rewarded in the end by getting all that he wishes for) tay-yar il?irjeen jppJ' spirit the money away (to spend one's money secretly, especially on trivial things and pleasures) He could have saved a lot if he didn't spirit away all the money his father had left him. 9 9<f^ tay-yinha bitiin Цд-Ь put one’s foot in it (to do or say something, especially unintentionally, that distresses or offends another person) [refers to a person who accidentally steps in animal excrement] When Nan returned home from a date with her boyfriend she looked very upset, and she needed to be treated carefully but Tim put his foot in it and she got mad at him (to have a sudden fancy or notion; freakish idea or desire) She's got one of those whims for gardening, but it won't last long. til^itlu it-tirmisa a—J [tirmisa (literally a lupin seed) is the Egyptian-Arabic name for the gland which supposedly forms a small lump in a boy's chest when he reaches puberty] reach puberty (of a boy: to reach the age or condition of becoming first able to produce offspring) law-wil baalak keep your shirt on! (keep clam; not become angry, excited, etc.) Keep your shirt on\ What's all this fuss about -1 only wanted to borrow your radio. tult ilbaal J9 tibal-lay il?amal everything comes to him who waits [saying]
71 Э-ЬДлЗ' J- for stamping or marking metal products; something brand new is therefore something recently made and stamped with a brand] This car is brand new. I only bought it yesterday. ^as-sik-kiin guaranteed; subject to scrutiny (especially of water-melons: guranteed red and juicy and therefore cut open to prove it) The water-melon I bought this morning turned out to be tasteless; the vendor was crying, guaranteed red and juicy', but I didn't ask him to cut it open to prove it. Calwijf ЛР' t cosmetic (anything that covers up blemishes or defects) / think his sweet words at the meeting were all cosmetics, because he's often very rude. £aaj £ala ?afa ... Ud jite- sponge on someone (to live or profit at another's expense in a mean or parasite way) That lazy man won't work, but he sponges on his family. ?il^t/dtil filbr/t/jil JbUI <3 JbkJl all and sundry (every person without exception; anyone and everyone) She didn't like her private life being made known to all and sundry in the newspapers. £aam £ala £oom ... f string along with someone (to go along with; agree with someone) I'll string along with the chairman about this as being the greatest project ever submitted to the company; my application for a loan will be on his desk tomorrow morning and I want to get it approved. ^alhadiida о-ЬЛлЛ stony broke (without money; ruined financially; bankrupt) The new house I bought last week left me so stony broke that I couldn't afford any piece of furniture. ^alhilwa wilmur-ra о° through thick and thin (through good times and bad times; whatever happens) Though her brother was often in trouble she always helped and supported him because she had promised her mother that she would be with him through thick and thin. ^ar-raff out of the running (without a chance of winning, e.g. in a competition) After seeing how well his friend had done, Tom realized that he was out of the running for the job. ^ar-rii? j//' £ on an empty stomach (of drink, food or smoke: to be taken first thing in the morning or after a day's fast) It makes me feel sick to drink tea on an empty stomach. ^az-ziiru brand new (completely new) (the word brand refers to a hot iron used
72 (to know all that there is to be known about a situation, especially to realize the bad things or difficulties) I'm sure he's not lying to me; we've lent him money in the past, and we know the score. ^irif ilfuula k) jib know the ropes (to know or learn all the details, rules, and organization of a business, method, etc.) The new workers wanted to know the ropes. £irif in я1-1ад ha?? Jr 4^1 jj mend one’s ways (to improve one's behaviour, manners, etc.) He will have to mend his ways if he wants to get this job. ^irif Juylu mai-a ... have it out with someone (to meet someone and settle an argument or quarrel with him) He was annoyed by what Paul had said and decided to have it out with him as soon as possible. £irif... tafaaf < £ have a smattering of someone, something (to have slight, superficial or imperfect knowledge of someone or something) - Do you know Mr. Zimmerman? - I'm afraid I only have a smattering of him. ^ar-raf ... ma?aamu cut someone down to size (to show someone that he is not as important as he thinks he is; show the true limits of a person's abilities) He sent his girlfriend a tough letter cutting her down to size. ^ara?u mara?u have egg on one’s face (to become very embarrassed; appear foolish or silly) ^amliin zayy naakir winkiir fight like cat and dog (to quarrel or argue fiercely, especially very often) They still love each other very much. But they fight like cat and dog. ^aayiz il?ard tinfa?? witibla^ni not know where to put oneself (to feel very embarassed; feel great mental discomfort or anxiety) When they asked me if I was the person who had eaten all the food at the party last night I just didn't know where to put myself. £ag-giz ... ?abl il?awaan O’jSl* make someone grey before his time (to cause someone to look older than he really is, especially by putting him under constant stress or tension) What did I do to deserve a husband like you? You're making me grey before my time. ^agnu wi/abzu о know someone, something inside out (to know a subject, person etc., very well) Looking for a house in the suburbs can be a nightmare. So no-one is more fitted for the job than Dick; he knows the whole town in- side out. ^idd yanamak ya J") ЛР guha can count something on one’s fingers (to be able to count a number, amount, etc., very easily because the amount is small) When he was asked about the mumber of winners, he shrugged his shoulders and said one could count them on his fingers. i=irif ilbiir wiytffcwt know the score
73 ^a/imtini bilhala? x^r-ramt ana widaani I counted my chickens before they were hatched (to believe that success, victory, etc., is certain before it actually happens, depending on another person's promises or expectations, which often turn out to be false) You told me that I would get the new contract, but it seems I counted my chickens before they were hatched. This morning I was told that someone else got it. 5«S«fiir ilbatn pangs of hunger (a sudden, sharp feeling of hunger, often aroused by the smell of food) All that mattered to him, however, is that the pangs of hunger had been appeased, and come what may after that. ... ^asr give someone a good grilling (to question severely and persistently) The detectives gave the prisoner a good grilling until he confessed. • j , ^asox mu/-xu Дл» j-az beat one's brains out (to spend a lot of time thinking or worrying over a subject) For hours now I've been beating my brains out trying to come up with a solution to the problem. ?il^«sfuura ?alitli cJli OjjaLsaJI a little bird told me (used to avoid saying how one knows something secret, usually in answer to a question) - How did you find out they would be getting married soon? - Ah, a little bird told me! He told everyone that his horse was sure to win the race; he certainly had egg on his face when it came last. ^ariis ilyafla dJUuJ' & the boy next door (a young man who has been accepted by a girl's family as her husband, especially when the whole matter occurs without due preparations) Last week the boy next door proposed to her, and they got married this morning. ^ariis ilhana Prince Charming (an ideal type of future husband; a perfect lover) [refers to the fairy-tale prince who marries Cinderella] A pub is not the place where girls could meet their Prince Charmings. ^ariis lu?ia a good catch (a desirable person to marry because of wealth, position or other status) Lucky you! He's a good catch - when are you going to get married? ^ajaan sawaad ^uyuunak i'j-i jLif- for love (because of fondness for a person or pleasure taken in doing something; not for personal profit) - How much do I owe you for mending my car? - You owe me nothing. I did it for love. Yi\fyifara bi?irj J* j** ° two a penny (easily found or obtained especially because of being cheap; common) Small houses in the country are becoming very expensive in England, but in Ireland they are two a penny.
74 4J ^11' a thief, and it often works. £a?lu xafiif aLjp feather-brained (a silly, foolish, weak-minded person) I've stopped inviting him to any party since I found out he is feather-brained. Last time he was made fun of by everybody. £,a?lu ddftnr have a sharp memory (a person who is able to remember easily) I'm sorry, but I don't have a sharp memory, you want me to remember things that happened when I was a school boy? £лк-кг/г ig-gaww make waves (to spoil or unsettle a comfortable situation; cause trouble) You've got to keep friendly with your uncle, so whatever you do don't make waves. £ala ?a/r iz-zaman y*-’ it's come to a pretty pass (things have developed into a difficult or annoying situation) It's come to a pretty pass when my workers can tell me how to run my own company. £ala bribtf ? bb whose leg do you think you’re pulling? (said in response to an attempt to make fun of one in a friendly way, e.g., by trying to make one believe something that is not true) - Would you like a free ticket to the Bahamas? - Whose leg do you think you're pulling? ^la ЬякшЦ/ 4?% bluntly (without trying to be tactful; frankly) I have to put it bluntly, he's been dishonest during the probation period, and that's why I can't give him the job. Sndd il?iid il-li Jot itmad-ditlu bite the hand that feeds one (to act in an ungrateful manner towards someone who has been kind or helpful to one) The man had worked for the company for several years. When he was caught stealing, his employer felt that he had bitten the hand that fed him. ^fldmu tz/ri still wet behind the ears (lacking experience, training or knowledge) [refers to a child who has not dried behind his ears after washing] The older members of the committee took no notice of my demand to join the executive board; they clearly thought I was still wet behind the ears. kibiira (/ijna) ‘U-aa a bigwig (an important person) No wonder he's seen driving a new car every other week; his father is a bigwig in the car industry. $=af-far winaf-far jAjj jAA huff and puff (to show signs of making a great effort or to become confused in trying to do something) The two men began to huff and puff when they were asked awkward questions. a a о ^afriit in-niswaan Cj^aa a toy whistle (one which extends when blown) ^afriit yitnl-k/^ ^afriit C-jjAA vllaj C-j set a thief to catch a thief (to use the experience and skills of one criminal or wrongdoer in order to catch another) You know, sometimes the officers at Scotland Yard don't depend on their own investigations, but they set a thief to catch
75 or what one can afford, especially when spending money) I can't afford having another baby; I'll have to cut my coat according to my cloth. ^ala ?albu mt/r^awih * Уу take one’s own sweet time (to be in no hurry at all; to proceed very slowly) If you are in a hurry, don't ask him to do the job for you because he takes his own sweet time. Sala ?albahal J**) fr/luun [the word tddluun refers to the mosque of Ibn Tuluun in Cairo, which was formerly used as the residence of poor Moroccan pilgrims on their way to Makkah. The story goes that one day a Moroccan pilgrim was aboard a ship that took him from Alexandria to Cairo, and as it arrived at a spot on the eastern bank of the Nile very close to the mosque, the sailor told him that this was as far as the ship went and asked him to get off. Being unable to pay for a donkey ride, the pilgrim said that he would not leave the ship unless it took him to the mosque] to the bitter end (to the very last; to the point where something violent, some great misfortune etc., takes place and nothing further can be done) My aunt was so determined not to leave and said she would stay to the bitter end. ^ala kaff Safriit touch and go (very risky and uncertain situation) [refers to a ship that touches rocks or the ground but then goes on past the danger without being damaged] For three days it was touch and go as to whether she would live. ^ala tum-mit ^eenu cock-a-block full with (filled to capacity with a number of persons or things) My aunt sent me a hamper cock-a-block full with all kinds of goodies. Cl ^ala gus-siti ! over my dead body! (not if I can prevent it) - I'm going to take the car tonight, Dad. - Over my dead body\ S,ala hisaab $ahb ilmahill [the Egyptian-Arabic idiom often produces a humorous effect when a /у/ sound is substituted for the three /h/ sounds in order to copy the pronunciation that was formerly adopted by foreigners living in Egypt, especially Greeks and Italians, who worked as waiters in pubs and restaurants] on the house (of drink, food, etc.: given to someone free, especially by the owner of a pub, restaurant, etc.) When Jim's wife had a baby, the drinks were on the house for all his regular customers. ^ala sinn wirumh known to one and all (of a person: well-known to everyone) I'm the son fo Mr. Bloggs, known to one and all. ^ala £ecnak ya taagir yr'j Ь in evidence (present and so easily seen; on view) Although the police have tried to lower the rate of crime, there is a great deal of crimi- nal activity in evidence in the cities. Ji») A* £ala ?add lihaafak midd riglcck cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth (to remain within the limits of what one has
76 go wrong in some activity, then it will) He had just bought a new watch, but the same day he dropped it and broke it. Well, that's sod's law, isn't it? ^amal ilbahr iihiina ‘ЦлЬ J-** promise someone the moon (to take promises that are very generous, e.g. so that one is unlikely to fulfil them; picture something vividly but unrealistically in words) She met a boy on holiday who promised her the moon and made her believe she was the most beautiful girl in the world. •> > • / , , partial ij-Jiwayiteen J-** bituu^u put on an act (to behave in a false way in order to impress other people or get what one wants) The woman put on an act in order to get the job. 9 £ x 9 £amal ^amaliy-ya go under the knife (to be operated on surgically) My doctor finally advised me that I should go under the knife because I've shown no response to medication. ^amal fiiha funl -bjy Ц-9 play the school-master (to be fond of telling others what to do and how to do it; domineering) - Is he the boss? - No. - So why's he playing the school-master? £amal linafsu gaww yr create an aura for oneself (to surround oneself with an atmosphere of elegance and well-being in order to impress other people) When his fiance went to visit him he created an aura for himself to impress her. ^ala iwor jV have ants in one’s pants (to be in a state of anxiety or impatience) He's got ants in his pants about the contract - he's worried that we won't be paid if we don't finish the work before the time agreed. ^ala widnu what have you; non-stop; no time to waste (anything else like this; and so on; without stopping) He teaches reading, writing, listening, speaking and what have you. £,ilmi ^ilrnak search me! (I don't know! I haven't any idea!) - Why aren't they here to meet us? - Search me\ ^aleek ^afriit ?... J ismu ... that bloody ... haunts you? (said to someone who seems to be obsessed by something and therefore keeps talking or asking about it in a persistent manner) - Where's the jacket, woman? - 1 haven't seen it. - Have you been out? - No. - Has anyone visited you? - No. - Then where has it gone? - That bloody jacket haunts you? •, i i , S/zm-mzzr iHaa&j 4-iUaJl get high; get loaded (to get somewhat drunk; dazed under the influence of a narcotic drug) I haven't been drunk for a while - let's find a place to get high. ^umru kida that's sod’s law (of things: a rule stating that if anything can
77 4-i 4J-I • ^andu fa^ra e&P a cuckoo (a silly or crazy person; fool) Is she a cuckoo? She's been moving from one seat to another for an hour now! C,awag lisaanu aJUJ speak in a la-di-da voice (like or typical of upper-class society in pronunciation) He always speaks in a la-di-da voice when he's talking to his employer. £uud fihizma a drop in the ocean (a very small amount, especially when compared with the larger amount that remains or is needed) If your father lends us some money it will be very helpful but it will really be a drop in the ocean when we have to pay all our debts. ^uudu 67%d<:/r a green horn (a person without training or experience; a person who is easy to trick, a person who has recently arrived from the country to the city) [said originally of animals, perhaps of the immature 'green' horns of young oxen] Don't give him so much work to do - he's still a green horn. >) 4? A U A ?il£iyt/€zr il-li mrzysib] yidwif one may have been saved the bite, but the barking was bad (an action that does not find its target will at least cause a fright or attract people's attention) yihlaali ya %aali the grass is greener on the other side of the hill / fence [saying] (life is better, easier, etc., in any place where one is not at present living or working) ^amal imilhab-ba ?ub-ba make a mountain out of a molehill (to worry about or become excited about matters that are not really important at all) Гт sure he'll give you the money back when he gets paid, so there's no need to start making a mountain out of a molehill. ^amalhum £ala ?albu «Цэ coin it in (to earn and save a great deal of money) He works for the most important company in town - he must be coining it in. ^umyy (^p : Jlill ^P) ^p (as in talaata ginee ^umyy) a measly (e.g. a measly three pounds) (a scanty, meagre sum of money) What's all this big argument about? The whole thing is for a measly three pounds. ^andu krfrangi OXP syphilitic (a person who has syphilis, a contagious venereal disease) You'd better stay away from Bob - he's syphilitic. •a • > ^andu is-satr jS-Jl oXP have nothing to one s name (to have no money or property at all) Mrs. Madison lives alone and has nothing to her name, so don't ask her for money. ^andu damm fO have horse sense (common sense; plain practical wisdom) Let's hope he has enough horse sense to bring his food with him. ^andu rub^ck/arib £0 aX£ have a screw loose (to be slightly mad) They say he's got a screw loose, but he works very hard and he's really quite harmless.
78 - gentle reproof - to respect social class) - You've done a wonderful job, Ed. Your report is an excellent piece of writing. - Thank you, sir but I wouldn't presume to accept any praise - you taught me everything. £eenu tid-dabb fiiha UJ »— rusi/^у/ have a bold stare (a look that lacks proper shame and modesty) They were disconcerted by the girls' bold stare. ^eenu кя/rit £ala ... set one’s heart on something (to wish for something strongly; be determined to get or do something) I've set my heart on having that new coat. ^eeni bitriff be all of a twitch (a vague feeling taken as a notification or warning of what is to come, usually marked by a slight, involuntary movement of the eye-lids) I've been all of a twitch since I woke up this morning and I knew something bad was going to happen. ^ceni fi^ccnak look me straight in the eye (to look steadily and boldly at a person, e.g. without showing emotion or feelings of guilt) Look me straight in the eye and say that you are not in any trouble = I do not believe that you can say it without showing in your face that it's not true. ^een ilhasuud fiiha ^uud may the evil-eye be struck blind! (a formula against the evil eye) il^een J^) 0 Ьс/siik/ wil?iid ?asiira the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak [saying] [man has many fine intentions that the weakness of his human nature does not allow him to fulfil) [from the Bible: 'The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' (Matthew 26:41)] il^een ^alee 4-1^ earmarked (identified or set aside for something) [from the practice of marking the ears of sheep and cattle for identification] The young man was earmarked for promotion, but when he failed to sign the contract for the company, they asked him to leave. ^een J**) & fig-gan-na wi^een fin-m/t/r have the cake and eat it too (to try to enjoy or get advantage from two things when using or doing one of them makes the other impossible) If you spend all your money on clothes you won't be able to go to the cinema at the weekend - you can't have the cake and eat it too. ?il£een J**) U mati^laaj ^alhaagib I wouldn’t presume to accept any praise (a polite rejoinder to praise; an admonition
79 <d -Ч-^' j*!' yan-na zflkzmuu оnJb sing the blues (to be disappointed or disillusioned) [the blues is a slow, melancholy song with jazz rhythm] Jim has been singing the blues since he left Elizabeth - he loved her very much. у ay-y ar damm ... get someone’s blood up (to make someone angry or become angry) You'd better be careful, now that you've got his blood up. » * S- yay-y at iz-zeet get one’s end away (of a man: to have sexual intercourse with a woman, e.g. when this has not happened for some time) у cry-y at ^atabtu move house (to change one's place of residence, especially together with one's furniture and goods) They felt they simply had to move house again; they couldn't stand the neighbourhood. ?ilyurlxwzl Ji*) вХй J XXM JbjAJl ig-gidiid lu Jad-da a new broom sweeps clean [saying] (a person who has just been put in charge of an organization will always start with great vigour to make many changes to improve its effectiveness) The young headmaster's ideas were not all approved of by the school committee, but he was a new broom and was determined to put them into practice. yulub hunv/rzri I give up! (to stop trying or doing; have no more hope for) - It's become hopeless. / give up\ - Cheer up! You can always take it again.
} • х» • jXa> j <Ц|Ц11 80 j>T —J fis-saliim -t-J—J' in the clear (no longer in trouble, distrusted, or under suspicion) The police searched his flat thoroughly for stolen goods but could find nothing - he was in the clear. tij-jaari^ out on one’s ear (suddenly dismissed from a job, etc.) If you continue to be so late, you'll find yourself out on your ear. fit-taraawci ej* out in the cold (not taking part, not included) Some workers were left out in the cold in the recent wage agreement with their employers. fil-laf-fa in arms (a person who has little experience in business matters, public life, etc.) How could you ask her to give the speech of the opening session - she's still in arms. filmijmij that’ll be the day! (the day when that happens I'll be very surprised: used when someone has stated his intention of doing something, obtaining something, etc., which the speaker believes is very unlikely) He said he was thinking of inviting us all to a party at his own house. That'll be the day! filmalakiy-ya aXM' in civvy street (not in the army, navy, etc.) [civvy is short for civilian = not military] I'm a soldier now but when I was in civvy street I worked in a factory. filhayfa wiyis-sr/d-dizr penny wise (and) pound foolish fi?aa/ir bilaad ilmuslimiin at the ends of the earth (anywhere; even the most distant lands or parts of the world) Say you want it, and I would bring it to you even if it were at the ends of the earth. fit-takatiim up one’s sleeve (secretly) He's been staying away from everybody in the office for a couple of weeks. I'm sure he's planning something up his sleeve. filhrzdiid at rock bottom (of prices, a person's moral character, etc.: at the lowest possible level) Now is not the time to sell your car with prices at rock bottom - you will lose a lot. filhifz wis-soon 0 ЗадлЛ in cold storage (stored safely until needed) Your suggestions will be kept in cold storage until we have enough money to put them into practice. fid-dira under the counter (secretly or unlawfully; without the knowledge of other people) During the war many of the goods we can now buy openly in the shops were only sold under the counter.
0jjJ bJ 81 • X • t character, through heredity or custom) Susan Ann has betting in her blood. Her father is a well-known London bookie with several shops. fideel ... J*4 Jp □ at someone's heels (following close behind someone) I threaded my way through the crowd with the dog at my heels. fisaabi^ nooma wJ out for the count (sleeping deeply) I tried to wake her, but she was out for the count. wimal?ai JaiLj high and low (in every possible place; everywhere) / looked high and low for the paper you had given me, but I couldn't find it anywhere. fisih-hijak ! bottoms up! (used as a toast or a sort of cheer said as one takes a drink of alcohol, usually with others) [refers to the bottoms of glasses] Bettoms up everybody! I'll pay for all the drinks - today is my birthday, л * fi^izz in-n«h«r/r in broad daylight (in the daytime, when an act that is unlawful, especially a robbery, or one that is normally done in private should be able to be seen, discovered, or prevented) Two women told me they had had their handbags snatched by passing cars as they walked along the pavement in broad daylight. fi?a^da о JaS U5 at one/а sitting (to finish, complete, deal with something during the course of one meeting or in one (careful in small matters and careless or wasteful in larger or more important matters) Asking the workers not to make private telephone calls from the office is not really likely to reduce the firm's losses - it's just being penny wise and pound foolish. •" • •* . fibuuz brz^d Joru jjj cooped up (sitting very close to one another as if confined in a very small place) Mr. and Mrs. Green were cooped up indoors by the rain. figazmitak ! jJL» jsr you shouldn’t give a tinker’s cuss! (you shouldn't care at all about something) You look very upset - you shouldn't give a tinker's cuss. The car will be in good shape again. fihaalu <db- J) keep (onself) to oneself (to live quietly: not mix much with other people) He seems to be a very nice boy though no- body really knows much about him be- cause he keeps himself to himself. fihamwit-ha Ц55*^ in the heat of the moment (without thought, while being influenced by the importance or excitement of the event, occasion, etc.) When they agreed on all the provisions, they wasted no more time and signed the contract in the heat of the moment. fi/abar kaan JIS* beyond recall (cannot be restored or brought back to life) It's been ten years since we last saw you, and now you say you want your dog back? It's beyond recall. fidam-mu in one’s blood (to have something as part of one's nature,
82 We had last-minute doubts about the man we had chosen as our representative, but the die was castl fatah ilbcet ^albahari keep an open house (to be ready and willing to welcome guests to one's house at anytime) When his parents go on holiday he keeps an open house. fatah stffhtt gidiida oJjA?- алаа turn over a new leaf (to change one's behaviour for the better; make a new start by improving oneself, changing one's habits, etc.) He was a lazy student, but he turned over a new leaf when he had to start earning his own money. fatah ^/r-rt/t/bi^ cC” t & give it the gun (to increase speed when driving a vehicle, especially a car) He really gives it the gun when he drives his new car, just to show how fast it can go. fat-tab ^ineen ... ОУА ^A open someone’s eyes (to make a person realize the whole truth, e.g. of something that was a secret or may be disapproved of) The letter I found yesterday opened my eyes to the truth; Now I know she has been cheating me for years. > i » ° *5 fat-tab muX’/u ma£a ... grease someone's palm (to give someone money, especially dishonestly, in an attempt to persuade him to do something, give information, etc.; bribe someone) If you grease his secretary's palm she might give you a key to his office. fatah nifs ... ^A whet someone's appetite period of activity) She asked me to knit her a sweater, quite casually, as if it was something I could at one sitting. filamh ilbastzr at the drop of a hat (immediately and willingly) My friend loves playing the piano and will give you a tune at the drop of a hat. fiwiJJ ilmadfa^ in the firing line (in a position where one is likely to come under attack, receive punishment, etc.) She knew she would always be in the firing line when she became the secretary of the boss. faat ik-kitiir Ь mabi?i il-la il?aliil the worst is over (the most difficult part of an undertaking is now finished and therefore what is left must be easier: used to encourage someone who appears to be tired, bored, etc.) Come on! Let's get this work done - the worst is over. fat-ha il?d£r Jail) Ц51Э on the shelf (of a woman: unmarried and unlikely to get married, especially because of being past the age of looking attractive) I know I'm not an attractive man to any woman, not even to one on the shelf. ?ilfaas wi?£it fir-nws the die is cast; the fat is in the fire (a decision or decisive action has been taken and must be kept to; what has been done or said cannot be changed and is likely to lead to trouble) [in the first idiom die is the singular of dice. When a player has thrown the dice, he must accept whatever number is shown on them]
83 faja/ bu?-?u & smile from ear to ear (to smile broadly or widely) When he heard he had won the prize, he smiled from ear to ear. 9 0 «0 x fass malh widaab «—J jAi do a bunk; vanish into thin air (to disappear or go away unexpectedly) He promised to stay in the house all day, but when I got home I found that he'd done a bunk and taken all my money with him. fr/sl baarid a rotten trick (a playful act intended to deceive someone) He told us the film started at six, but we went an hour earlier and found out it had already started. A rotten trick, isn't it? fc/dd magaalis paying / giving lip-service (to express agreement with an idea, state- ment, etc., without sincerely meaning it or without taking action in support of it) I'm sure his approval of the project was just a sort of paying lip-service because he left it to the other fellows to carry out. ft/dl wi^adl Jlf- j jjrt fair and square (honest, correct, or proper) It was a good exchange, fair and square. fakk husrtz Oj-a?- have a pee (to go to the toilet) Excuse me, I must have a pee before we leave - where are the toilets? fakk c,an nafsu dAi let one’s hair down (to rest and enjoy oneself after a period during which one has had to keep oneself under control) It's wonderful to let your hair down at the weekend. (to make someone eager to obtain, learn, see, taste, or hear more) I've read only the first few pages of his book, but it was enough to whet my appetite; I finished it before I went to bed. faraayit c>een / insatiable greed (greed that cannot be satisfied) We've already given him more than his share, and he's asking if he can get even more. This is what I call insatiable greed. farxa bikijk у someone’s pet/favourite (a person who is treated with special kindness or favour, a darling or favourite) He's become the teacher's pet since he knew that his father is the course adviser. far-ra? Jarbdwl ’bjJi J / put/hang the flags out (to welcome an event with great happiness or joy) The day he buys me a drink I'll put the flags out. farkit ka^b / within striking/spitting distance; within a stone’s throw (very near) We didn't have to walk for more than three or four minutes - the castle was within striking distance of the road. fajf yil-lu vent one’s spleen (to get rid of the bad temper, anger, etc., caused by someone or something by attacking someone else) After a tiring day at the office, he vented his spleen on his wife. • > О 0 fj-jitu ^ayma a jolly soul (a person who is always very cheerful) She's such a jolly soul; she never takes anything seriously.
l£ijl<3 84 fuula win?asamit C..» j J у nus-seen as like as two peas in a pod (very or exactly alike) You won't be able to know which is which - they're as like as two peas in a pod. fiih ПЬягакд go a long way (especially of an amount of money or food: to be enough) There are only five of us here, and two chickens can go a long way, I think. fiih ir-rama? alive and kicking (still living and active) Their grandfather was 80 years but he was very much alive and kicking. fii ij-jifa ILiJl aJ just what the doctor ordered (just what is needed, suitable, or what one enjoys in a particular situation) After a hard day of work a nice meal at home is just what the doctor ordered. fangari bu?? 4$ be all mouth and trousers (to have a tendency to talk a great deal while taking little or no practical action to support what one says) He'll talk for hours about your problems and how to solve them, but he won't actually do anything to help. He's all mouth and trousers. fangil ^ineek ! keep your eyes peeled/skinned (watch carefully for something) Keep your eyes peeled for any movement in the house opposite. faw-яг damm ... make someone's blood boil (to cause someone to be very angry) It makes my blood boil when I read about the violence among young people. foo? ilbee^a aaJ' J into the bargain (in addition; also) They bought the flat and took the curtains and carpets into the bargain.
85 [refers to cloth-making. The finished cloth is stretched on a frame called a tenter and attached to it by means of hooks (tenterhooks)] His examination results are going to arrive this morning. He was sitting on tenterhooks all day yesterday thinking about them. £ 0 0 ?aal waahid wisit-tiin jjs-»j take to one’s heels (to run away) He stood for a while and then took to his heels. Nobody has seen him since then. ?aal ji*) аЬ' J? JL* JIS yiyiiz hamaatu bikutr zuroatu cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face (to do something because of anger, hurt pride, etc., that harms oneself or one's own interests) By refusing to work they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces because the company will close down. ?aam bis-alaama «uM-Jb up and about; out and about (out of bed, especially after suffering from an illness) He is out and about now after two weeks in hospital. ?aayim ma?luub have got out of bed on the wrong side (to be very bad-tempered, sensitive, impatient, etc., on a particular day, especially in the morning) He must have got out of bed on the wrong side - he's shouted at almost everybody in the office for no reason. ?ud-daam ^inee -4^ before/under someone’s (very) eyes (directly in front of someone or in some- one's presence, e.g. when the person should have noticed something but did not) He stole the books before my very eyes. 3 ?aabil rc/bb kariim (go to) meet one’s Maker (used euphemistically: to die) The doctors said he would survive but when I went to visit him in the hospital, he'd already gone to meet his Maker. I couldn't but cry bitterly - he was a good man. ?aad s«w«b£u о in=ajara Jam^ bend over backwards (to do everything one can, often at inconvenience to oneself, in order to help or please someone) Wherever he was in difficulty I always bent over backwards to help him. ?aarif malhit ... always picking on someone (to find fault with someone, especially to annoy or tease him) Why is the teacher always picking on me. I'm not the only one to forget the exercise book. ?aa^id biyniJJ at a loose end (with nothing to do; with no job, plans, interests, etc.) When I got dismissed from work last year I was rather at a loose end for more than six months before I could get another job. ?aa£id ^ala beedr/ -Uj sitting on tenterhooks (to be in a state of anxiety or full of expectation)
86 a * i л • a , Zj zb Zj e4* some of her letters while she was away and discovered that she's been giving him the runaround. ?asam ilbalad nus-seen aLJI split the difference (of two or more people: to agree on a figure halfway between two figures, especially between the normal amount one person is willing to pay and the price for which another will sell) The man wanted 500 pounds for the car and I would only give him 450 pounds, so we decided to split the difference and he sold it to me for 475 pounds. ?usr deel Jp sour grapes (feelings of bitterness caused by failure to get what one wants: used to describe the behaviour of a person who, because he cannot get what he wants, pretends that the object is of no use or value) [refers to a story by the Greek fablist, Aesop in which a fox cannot reach the fruit that it wants to eat and therefore decides that the fruit is not ripe] He says that my new car is a waste of money, but that's just sour grapes. Really he would like very much to own one himself. ?t/s-sr/r ra?abit ... let the side down (to disappoint one's companions, team, etc., by acting in a manner that causes them to be disapproved of or that prevents them from gaining a victory, fulfilling their aims, etc.) You must behave very politely, and don't let the side down by complaining about the food. riij... clip someone's wings (to limit the power or influence of a person) [refers to cutting the wings of birds so that » "» e » • f $ ?ad-dim rigl wi?r/x-/</r J^j Z'j rigl drag one’s feet (to move or act very slowly, especially because one has a lack of interest or eagerness) Your firm is dragging its feet over signing this contract; actually, I'm beginning to lose patience. Ji*) °? ?ird haaris wibay-yaa^ makaanis Jack of all trades (and) master of none (a person who has the ability to do many different kinds of work, although not necessarily very well) — ’. ' ° i i • . • » ?il?ird J^) J'Z fi^een um-mu yazaal beauty is in the eye of the beholder [saying] (different people have different opinions about what is to be regarded as beautiful: often said of a person who is not up to the generally accepted standard of beauty) ?orsit widn у one in the eye (something unpleasant that is considered just punishment for a person who has hurt or annoyed the speaker) Mr. West tried to persuade his neighbours, the Wilsons, to sell their cattle to him, but they refused. The next morning they found two of their cows dead by the barn. Mr. West was then said to have telephoned the Wilsons and told them: 'That's one in the eye for you.' ? arias ... ji give someone the runaround (to deceive someone with whom one has a close relationship by having secret relationships with other men and women at the same time) He had thought there was nothing wrong with their marriage, but then he opened
sympathy for the other person) - I'll have to get up early to catch the train tomorrow. • My heart bleeds for you. I have to do that every morning. а о о x ?«tii^a ti?t«^ni -uJa5 drat it! (an exclamation of exasperation: damn it!) Drat it! I forgot to bring any money. ?a'§ad £ala kitaab .us crack a book (to read) Although they say that George never cracks a book, he managed to pass all his examinations. ?afaj... £ala ha?i?tu get someone's number! (to understand a person's true character or intentions, especially to realize his faults, weakness, or dishonesty) I used to think he was a friend of mine, but now I've got his number; he's completely selfish. ?il?uf-fa Ji*) um widneen уi/iluuha itneen many hands make light work [saying] (a job, duty, etc., is easy to do if many people share the work) ?all bi?aslu ma^a... Ji do the dirty on someone (to treat a person in an unjust or unfair way, especially to be disloyal to him secretly) The others in my office did the dirty on me when they told the boss that I was often late for the afternoon shift. ?albu biy itW/t-U/S; ^ala ... *3 someone’s heart goes out to someone (someone feels sympathy or pity for some- one) He said that his heart went out to all those who were hungry and homeless. they cannot fly) The king will have to clip minister's wings in order to keep power himself. daabir ... settle someone's hash (to deal with someone in such a way that he can cause no more trouble) He was annoying his fellow workers, so the boss finally settled his hash by dismissing him. ^an ... ilhaliib wir-raayib leave someone in the lurch (to leave a person in difficulties when one's help is expected) I'd known him for years, and I never believed that he'd leave me in the lurch after losing my job. qccj ... take the bread out of someone's mouth (to take away someone's food or the means of obtaining it) If you do that work, you'll be taking the bread out of the mouths of your fellow workers here. fifarwit in-naas chew the fat (to talk about affairs, events, etc., especially those of other people, in a careless way) Most of the older women meet to chew the fat with their neighbours every morning. ?zrt-to^ nafsu sweat one’s guts out (to work very hard) I'm not going to sweat my guts out for 25 pounds a week. ?«t-ta^t ?albi ya/ее/ ! Ь Слкэ my heart bleeds for you! you’re breaking my heart! (I feel very sorry for you: you're making me feel great pity for you: used when the speaker does not actually have any
88 аК 4Д4 (to have a feeling that something bad is going to happen) The sailor's wife had a foreboding that he would not return. ?il?uluub %and brz^dahu jX5J a person can always tell when another likes him (used to express mutual feelings shared by friends, relatives, etc.) - Come on in! I was just going to give you a call. - A person can always tell when another likes him. ?ahwa biwijj «j$5 Turkish coffee with a head (a cup of coffee with froth on top of it brewed in a special pot called teneke) ?albu kalu £ala ... 4)45 sick worried about someone (to feel great worry and anxiety about someone) I hadn't realized how much she meant to me until she left. Now I'm sick worried about her. ?albu may-yit 4J5 as bold as brass (very bold or daring) The thief must be as bold as brass to have carried out a robbery at midday. ?albu wi?i£ min duluu^u 4£^L> aJj have one’s heart in one’s boots (to feel fearful) I had my heart in my boots when the boss called me into his office. ?albi haasis ^^15 I have a foreboding
89 o’jlf longer in any danger, but he had a close call. kaan zamaan wigubur j JUj JIS* time was (at a time in the past: usually used when remembering something that no longer happens; the time being spoken about was a good and enjoyable time when compared with the present) Time was when children were supposed to keep silent until a grown-up spoke to them. kaan yeerak ujtur ! Ja-al JIS' and the best of British! (good luck: often used when the speaker believes that someone has very little chance of succeeding) - I'm going to ask for a pay increase today. - And the best of British! Someone did a few minutes ago and was kicked out. kaan Ji*) ® yr JIS' figur-ru witilif, libur-ru risen in the world (of a person who has been inexperienced or naive: to become worldly-wise: caring much for the interests and pleasures of this world) He has really risen in the world since we saw him last - now he's got a girlfriend and he goes out with her every night. kitiir in-nut J**) J45 jiff ?aliil is-seed barking dogs seldom bite [saying] (the implication is that a person who usually shouts and/or keeps fidgeting, especially because of being bad-tempered rarely takes an action) kahh ma;a ... J^i sneeze at someone (used in negative contexts: to treat with scorn; not to pay attention to) A man of my influence is not to be sneezed at. kart blunj a blank cheque (freedom, or permission to do what one wants or considers necessary) The Ministry was given the necessary money and a blank cheque to reorganize education. 0 J , 0 J kaafi /ecru jur-ru e j-i fly*- ^$IS* an honest Joe (an ordinary man who is of no special interest) He's just an honest Joe trying to earn enough money to live. ka?an-nak yabu zeed C-iJfr U Jjj yb dAiU' mayazeet ka?an-nak j jib jb'isr yabadr laruht wala geet as you were (return to your former position) [from a command used originally in drilling soldiers: cancel any instructions, whether given by mistake or not] I used to look forward to the time when my children would marry and leave home. Now I have three grandchildren to look after nine months of the year. ' As you were, in fact.’ kaan hayruuh fiiha Цз have a close call (to avoid or escape from something, especially danger, injury, failure, etc., at the last possible moment) My father is still in hospital; his life is no
JU&U JJ j J Ji JT 90 ka^t, ig-sa?l wil-la?t Jaiil' j Jaildl pay through the nose (to pay a very high price for something) I had one of those whims when I took my family to the opera, and paid through the nose for three tickets. The next day, I was asking everybody in the office if they could lend me some money. f 0 kr/f'r ilbabtiix a whistle stop (a small, unimportant village on a railway line, where the train stops only when it is signalled) My brother got appointed in a whistle stop two hundred kilometres away from the nearest town. ?ik-kafan J^) maluuf giyuub you can’t take it with you [saying] (one cannot take one's possessions, especially one's money, to the grave; everything that one owns will stay on earth when one dies) kafa mrzguur keep something under one’s hat (to keep something secret; not make something known to anyone) Jane and I decided to get married, but keep it under your hat for the moment. kal ig-gaww steal the limelight (to receive great attention from the public; be in a position where one is easily noticed) My wife stole the limelight when she appeared at the party in her new dress. kul id-duud (sT*i J**) ?abl mayaklak eat a peck of dirt/dust before one dies [saying] (one is bound to take in with one's food a certain amount of dirt, from the air, in the course of one's life) kad-daab fi?asl wif-Ju JT a barefaced liar (a shameless liar) She's a barefaced liar, she hadn't asked me for money at all, or else I would have given it to her. ?ik-kidb J*») maluuf riglcen truth will out [saying] (the truth about a situation or event cannot be hidden for ever) kas-sar id-dinya tJuJl bring the house down (of a play, an actor's performance, etc.,: to cause a show of great approval or applause, e.g. to make an audience laugh very much) A few years ago, in a play, Alan Bates sang a folk song on stage. It brought the house down. kt/s-sar ma?adiif... j'Ai take the wind out someone's sails (to put a sudden end to someone's pride or belief in his own abilities, power, etc.) He had often been a good tennis player until my son beat him last week and took the wind out of his sails. kajaf ilmastuur let the cat out of the bag (to make known something that was a secret, especially to make it known accidentally and at the wrong time) [refers to a trick. A cat was put in a bag by someone who would claim that it was a pig and try to sell it to an inexperienced person. If that person opened the bag before paying, he would let the cat out of the bag and avoid being cheated] The criminal was hiding from the police, but a small boy let the cat out of the bag when he told them that there was a man in the house.
by being broken) - Can you lend me your camera? - I'm sorry, but it's gone west. I'm thinking of buying a new one next week. kull Jeex wilu Jb) u/rii?t7 there’s more ways than one to kill a cat [saying] (there are more ways or methods than one of getting something done: often used to defend one's own way of doing something when this is considered unusual) kal £ara? ... JS* swindle someone out of his cut (to cheat someone, especially by denying him his payment for labour or share for being involved in a small transaction) After working hard for three days the foreman swindled me out of my cut; I'm going to send a complaint to whoever is in charge. kull ^u?da wiliha hal-laal there’s always a way (there is always someone who can sort things out or find the right answer to a problem) Let's go to the boss and see what he can do about your problem. But even if he can't, there's always a way. kal wimalh j mai;a ... break bread with someone (to take food or have a meal with someone) He offered to break bread with me. kal fi?aa/ir zaadu y*”' eat like there’s no tomorrow (to eat as if the chance will never come again; without restraining oneself at all) He was eating like there's no tomorrow. kal firoohu simmer - I wonder if these strawberries have been washed properly? - You've got to eat a peck of dirt before you die, anyway. kull baryuut Ji ^ala ?add dam-mu horses for courses (each person being employed for the purpose for which he is most suited: used to emphasize the fact that certain jobs can only be done by people with the right skills) [in horseracing some horses run well on one type of ground while others are more accustomed to a different type] Smith can do the work; Jones can't. I'm afraid that Jones will just have to learn that in business it's horses for courses. kal bi£a?l... halaawa JJLrj JT sweet-talk someone (to fulfil one's purposes and defeat opposition by pleasant talk, insincere politeness or praise) He sweet-talked me into going home with him. kull hiin wimiin j jy*- once in a blue moon (hardly at all or hardly ever) I've almost forgotten what Jack looks like. I see him once in a blue moon now. kal zaftzr grease one’s chin (to eat meat) [grease is soft animal fat, especially of geese and ducks. So to grease one's chin is to smear one's chin (the part of the face below the mouth) with fat while eating big lumps of meat] Now that the doctor has allowed me to eat what I want, I am going to grease my chin. Go get us a fat duck from the pen. kull sana winta toy-yib JT gone west (of things: ceased to exist or operate, e.g.
л-*** 92 Не stuffed himself silly and fell asleep in the chair. kull JT waahid yinaam ^ag-gamb il-li yiray-yahu have it one’s own way (to believe or do whatever one wants) All right, have it your own way. Only let me alone. kal wijj ... jjT make someone feel small (to make someone feel ashamed or humiliated) Her kindness to me after I had broken her window made me feel small. kalaam filhawa hot air (talk or promises that sound impressive but are worthless and result in nothing) His promises to take her to Paris for the weekend were all hot air. kalaam fisir-rak ~ a word in your ear (something, such as a question or advice, said secretly to someone) A word in your ear before you buy a new car; prices will go down next month. kalaam faariy ! t J*» № stuff and nonsense! (that's completely untrue, incorrect, foolish, etc.) - The team you're now watching is the best in the country. - Stuff and nonsense! The children from the local school can beat them. kalaam mahsuus double-entendre (a word or expression with two meanings, one of which is often indelicate or improper) Yesterday he made a double-entendre that hurt all those who were present. (to be on the point of just breaking out) She simmered with anger, but said nothing. kal finafsu milyiira оJT be green with envy (to be very jealous) She'll be green with envy when I tell her that I've bought myself a new car. kull fuula J**) У wiliha ka-yaal every Jack has his Jill (every person will have a partner with whom feelings, especially of love, can be mutually shared) kal kaam sana min ® IT JS* ^umru shave a few years off one’s age (to tell or make known that one is younger than one really is) Shaving a few years off one's age is a white lie, isn't it? kul-lu Jj>) Ojbi'yU labiibin bilVi/aariti yafhamu a nod as good as a wink [saying] (a sign, indirect suggestion, etc., is all that is necessary: used to indicate that the speaker needs no direct statement to un- derstand a situation) / was still at the flat when my friend's girl- friend arrived. My friend gave me one look and I left them alone together. A nod's as good as a wink. kull leel wilu Ji») ?aa/ir the longest day must have an end [saying] (any period of unhappiness, failure, etc., however lasting it seems, must finally come to an end) kal witban-nig j JS* stuff oneself silly (to gorge oneself with food to the point of being unable to move)
kul-lu nr/z«r ‘US leave it to one’s discretion (to have the freedom to judge or choose according to the way one pleases or thinks fit) - Who's going to go on that business trip? - I leave it to your discretion. kama ?unzal JUT as gospel (as being completely true) [refers to the books of the Bible concerned with the life and teachings of Christ] He knows the history of this town thoroughly, and -everything that he says about it can be taken as gospel. kam-mil S;afaa noom go without supper (to go to bed without supper: the evening meal) Since their father's death the boys have been going without supper. ?ik-keel iafah have had a bellyful (to have had too much of something unpleasant or unfortunate and so wish to have no more of it) He had had a bellyful of his wife's complaints, and so had decided to leave her. kalbijit fi ... 0^4 get one’s claws into someone (of a woman: to try to trap a man, especially to make him marry her) Once she gets her claws into you, you won't be able to escape. ?ik-kilma kilmit-ha wij-joora Jurit-ha she wears the trousers/pants (of a woman: to be the ruling partner in a marriage) As soon as they've finished eating he piles up the plates and goes into the kitchen to do the washing up - it's quite clear that his wife wears the trousers in that house. kul-lina wilaad tis^a 4*—J Ь» Jack is as good as his master [saying] (the servent is as good as his master; men with power are not necessarily better than those without power: usually used to express the general equality of all men) kul-lu biyitk/^ filyasiil it’ll come out in the wash (of a problem, cause for anxiety, etc.: to come to a satisfactory end) [refers to dirt removed from clothes, etc., by washing) There's no need to worry if you've made a few mistakes. It'll come out in the wash.
V Ч—i L 94 Something or someone that was upto the nines was very good indeed] The whole family were dressed up to the nines when they left for the wedding. labsa £iryaan jb dressed to kill (of a woman: dressed in clothes that are intended to attract attention) I don't know how she can afford to do it but every night she goes out, dressed to kill. laafit |ala ... ci'i! get oneself coiled round someone (of a woman: to seduce a man, especially to make him marry her) An old woman got herself coiled round my husband and he couldn't get rid of her until she died. laafif widaayir have been around (to have had varied experience of life and the world, especially the kind of experience which gives one knowledge of how to deal with people, difficult situations, etc.) She'd been around and I knew it wouldn't be easy to deceive her. la lu fit-toor jyJaJl jjsll M wala fit-tihiin have no hand in the matter (not be concerned in some action, especially something wrong: not play a part in a plan, activity, etc.) You must be stupid if you believe this was my decision. I had no hand in the matter at all. la ya /ее/ t b you don’t say? (is that true? used as a humorous reply to a statement whose truth is beyond doubt; used to express one's surprise after being told something) - Some of the people in this office can be very stupid. J la biy-ya wala ^alay-ya minding one’s own business (carrying on one's own affairs and not becoming concerned with those of other people) I was, as usual, minding my own business when a policeman came into my office and asked me if I had anything to report about the murder case. la hiss wala xabar there's no tell (to receive no information about something or someone) There's no tell of that old woman for years. la raah wala ga nothing to write home about (a person or a thing that is not at all special) I don't know why you think that girl is so pretty. As far as I can see, she's nothing to write home about. la table wala iaar jib ‘ilj аЦ? neither fish nor fowl (neither one thing nor the other) It's a sad thing that the plan you wrote is neither fish nor fowl; it's very difficult to put it into practice. laabis il-li ^alhabl dressed (up) to the nines (dressed in one’s best clothes, e.g. for a special occasion) [refers to the setting of a standard, with 10 as the highest point one could reach.
(to cause someone to feel distress or great fear) The very thought of snakes makes my flesh creep. lahas £a?l ... jb steal someone's heart (to cause someone to fall deeply in love with one) She's stolen his heart since they met on the plane to New York last summer; he has nothing to talk about except her. lahas kalaamu eat one’s words (to take back humbly something one has said) He said that no one could beat him at tennis, but he had to eat his words after losing several games. lin/bb is-sama U—Jl J spectacular (making a great display or show; very striking or imposing to the eye) There was a spectacular fight last night between the two big leaders of the opposition party. lisaanu biyaklu one’s tongue can’t bear to remain idle (not be able to keep silent) Their tongues couldn't bear to remain idle in the presence of a stranger; they soon found out where he had come from and where he was going. lisaanu zayy ilrruzbrad sharp-tongued (to be bitter of speech; severely critical) They almost forgot about the comments of their sharp-tongued neighbours. lis-sa ^alborr still on dry land (not committed oneself yet; there is still time to reconsider) Why are you so authoritative? We're still - You don't say? labad fid-dur<z ®jAjl aJ lie in wait (to hide in order to surprise or attack someone) They were lying in wait for the little boy and shot him as soon as he entered the village. lab-bis k/?iy-yit da lida oaJ oi xilb rob Peter to pay Paul (to use the money that one borrows from one person or source to pay one's debts to another) [refers to Saints Peter and Paul, who are remembered by the Church on the same day (29 June)] - If he doesn't have money left in his bank account, how does he pay his debts? - He robs Peter to pay Paul. lab-bis ... ilhadiid AjJjM send someone up the river (to send someone to prison) Sooner or later he'll get caught and they'll send him up the river. lab-bis ... il-lt/rhrz JaJl beat someone into submission (to cause someone to yield to the control or authority of another, especially by disrespectable means) The terrorists were beaten into submission when their leader was arrested and sentenced to death. lab-bis ... il^im-ma e 4 a > » H, pull the wool over someone’s eyes (to deceive or trick a person) Although the company was going bankrupt, the boss soothed the angry workers by talking to them about increments; he certainly pulled the wool over their eyes. lab-bij git-til... <&? make one’s flesh creep
Udi у 96 jU lamm ^izaalu pack one’s bags (to leave, especially because of annoyance, a disagreement, etc.) If you don't like your work, why don't you pack your bags and find another job. lamm lisaanu aJUJ put a curb on one’s tongue (to control or restrain one's words) (a curb is the raised border along the edge of a pavement] You must put a curb on your tongue when you are in class. lam-ma tihbal ilbayla <dkjl J-kj U1 when hell freezes over (never) I'll believe that story when hell freezes over. lamuuna fibalad larfaana Ajliy -ф 4j a big fish in a little pond (a person who is important in only a very limited area or who has influence among only a very small group of people) He's probably the most skilful businessman in our town, but compared to the chiefs of the big national industries, he's a big fish in a little pond. lu fikull X</r<7(7b<7 C-JjAF <4*JS* Al qafriit have a finger in every pie (to be concerned in some way with a large number of different plans, arrangements, etc., at the same time) John seems to have a finger in every pie. He owns a business in the town, he's a member of the local council, and he belonges to several societies and clubs. laww id-dinya it?alabit CUlflJl UuJl jl come rain or shine (whatever happens) Come rain or shine, you'll always find him in the pub every Friday night. on dry land - you can look for another partner. li^b £iyaal JL* <--*1 kids’ stuff (something very easy, simple, etc.) Making clothes is kids' stuff to my sister. liyt/rzyit manafasu it?Uz^ «Jaijl л-UiU AjI*J until one is blue in the face (to talk or deal with someone for an exasperatingly long time, usually without having gained the desired result) We talked until we were blue in the face, but we could never make them believe that what we said was true. laff widz/wt/rarm beating around the bush (delaying talking about or considering the most important point or part of a discussion, subject, etc.) You shouldn't be beating around the bush when asking for something you really deserve. lo?ai ilfuula °aJ jill Jail see through the trick (to understand the real character or hidden purpose of an action that is meant to deceive or cheat) We were going to be deceived into buying a poor car, but we could see through the trick at the last minute. lu?ma tariy-ya aj «uaJ easy meat (someone or something that may easily be taken advantage of) I heard when I was working on the site that that woman was easy meat; she believed everybody and got in trouble several times. lil-laa filil-laa a!1 uJ 41 for nothing (without payment; free of charge; for no reason) He did all that hard work for nothing.
aL>Ji а!-! 97 Liiil UJi у You have to save some money for a rainy day, You never know what is going to happen tomorrow. lilt ilhin-na [eve of consummation of a marriage in traditional society in Egypt when the bride and groom are decorated with henna: a dark reddish-brown dye made from the leaves of a small thorny tree of tropical Asia and Africa] wedding night laww is-sama intaba?it $>al?<2rd come hell or high water (whatever may happen) He is determined to finish the job come hell or high water. liwa?t ^ooza for a rainy day (for a time of misfortune, especially because of lack of money, that may come one day and should be provided against)
98 matib?aaj hambali ! Ь don’t split hairs! (don't waste time over unnecessary details! said to a person who likes to argue over or is interested in small or unimportant detalils) Don't split hairs! We're here to enjoy ourselves, not to know if that elephant is Indian or African. mati^rafluuj bt/rr min у Jj»jliyj Iе br/hr can’t pin someone down (to be unable to hold someone in one position, or bind him to an undertaking or pledge) You can't pin him down - he would say something and then do something different. maat figildu олЬ- Ol» scared stiff (to be very afraid) They were walking slowly across the street towards me. I was scared stiff. maat wijibi^ moot О у dead and gone (dead, especially for a long time) The old man was very lonely because so many of his friends were now dead and gone. magam-ma^ J**) JPJ il-lam-ma waf-fa? birds of a feather flock together [saying] (people who have the same interests, ideas, etc., are attracted to each other and stay close together) The neighbours thought that she and her boyfriend were birds of a feather. Both are indifferent to other people's feelings. О J 9 „ 9 mada?J Ir/^m in-noom (jJl ;hJ=> Ji» u not sleep a wink (not be able to sleep at all; stay awake all night) / was so worried last night that I couldn't sleep a wink. milbaab JjUaU »—>Ul > just like that (for no apparent reason; unexpectedly; without warning) I'm not the person you're looking for - do you want to fight just like that? min-nigma bright and early (very early in the morning) We must leave bright and early - I want to get there before the bank opens. mabit-hut-tij JaA Ь r/byt/d wala tfhrru/r not powder or paint oneself (of a woman: to use no cosmetics at all, especially on the face) She's the sort of woman that dosen't paint or powder herself. mabakulj min U Juyl ilbulutiika da I won’t swallow any cant (you're not going to deceive me with these words: used when the speaker does not understand much of what is being said, because the language is peculiar to a special group, using many strange words, etc.) - A ticket is a contract between the company and the passenger to deliver him to a certain place at a certain time, and obviously you haven't honoured the contract. I want my money back. - What contract are you talking about? I won't swallow any of your cant.
99 makanj yin^azz j*-» I would if I could but I can’t (I would like to do something worthwhile, but I am unable to) - Betty, will you marry me? -1 would if I could, but I can't; I've already got engaged to my cousin, Ed. ?ilmaal J**) Дм JUJl is-saayib yi^al-lim is-sir?a the hole calls the thief [saying] (unwatched property encourages theft) L a) IjJli cA mal?uu] filward ^ccb ?aluulu J**) yr/hiru/r il^ad-deen one would find a fault with a fat goose (even what looks perfect does not escape the criticism of a fault-finder) Nothing is perfect, and you never see but the minuses. You know, one would find a fault with a fat goose. maluuj xul? have no stomach (to be unwilling to do or agree to something, especially because it is offensive to one's principles) He would have listened if you had spoken to him more seriously because he certainly had no stomach for such trivialities. * Л О # „ 0/0^ о > mahu laww £andu £ ja U zar-rit mu/x if someone had half an eye (if the person mentioned were not so stupid, insensitive, dull, etc.) If you had half an eye you would be able to make some money from the new contract. mayitbal-lij fibu?-?u aJjS aa> fuula spill the beans (to reveal or make known a secret, piece of information, etc.) You can't trust him to keep a secret - he is sure to spill the beans before long. mas%am ji*) J* min sit-ti il-la siidi the pot calling the kettle black (said of or to a person who is criticizing another for having the same faults as he has himself) [refers to the fact that both kettles and pots would be burnt black after long use over a fire] When he blames her for wasting money he forgets that he regularly loses half his own wages by betting on the wrong horses - it's the pot calling the kettle black, I'd say. madaa?it J**) с-г-/ I» cJUpU il-lam-ma furigat it’s always darkest before dawn [saying] (things usually get worse before they get better) ma^rifj rarzsu min а-Ь-j riglee not know whether one is coming or going (to be confused; not know what one is doing or should do) There is so much happening this morning I don't know whether I'm coming or going. ma^alihuuj it-tulez ML! I I» not be much cop (to be unworthy of much admiration or at- tention; not be very good; be rather unat- tractive, stupid, etc.) With his crooked shoulder, he is not at all that much cop. ma?dirj yi?uul bimm would/could/will not say boo’ (of a person, organization, etc.: not powerful enough to take action against someone or something; very timid and afraid of giving offence) The National Union of Journalists couldn't say boo to the demands of young members.
j**J J* jjJx» 100 mabruuk £al?ard congratulations on your new shoes (said to someone who has just bought a new pair of shoes) mitfas-stfl %ala ... down to the ground (completely suitable for or typical of someone) Have you seen her new dress? It's her down to the ground. muhdis ni^ma a parvenu; an upstart (a person who has risen to a higher place than he is fit for, especially one who has risen through the acquisition of wealth or political power) He has often been referred to as an amoral parvenu, but there is much in him to admire. mahad-di] waa£id jS»-bxA minha haaga you can’t take any of it with you (one cannot take one's possessions, especially one's money, to the grave; everything that one owns will stay on earth when one dies) • • »i > mu%-%u gibs <^a a blockhead (a stupid person; fool; dunce) No one but a blockhead would accept such a job. mux-%u daarib have bats in the belfry (to have strange ideas; be slightly mad) That old man must have bats in the belfry - he wears such peculiar clothes. madluuk £ala... J gone on someone (very much attracted by someone; in love with someone) He would work a bit harder if he weren't so gone on the girl in the next office. may it was-saa J take the biscuit (to be the best or worst of something) For rudeness that woman really takes the biscuit = she was very rude. mayiswaaj basala J-'j— not worth a damn (not worth anything) What are you arguing about? I'm sorry, but your offer is not worth a damn. mayi^rafj OjAB jjS* оЛ' il?alif min kuuz id-dura can’t tell chalk from cheese (to have no common sense; not know anything) The office-boy you appointed last week is just hopeless. He can't tell chalk from cheese. mayi^rafj is-sama U~J' mil^ama not know beans (to know nothing or have no knowledge about a subject, activity, etc.) He won't be able to help you because he doesn't know beans about history. mayi?dar %al?udra bj OjAaJI jAible il-la rab-bina someone has only got a pair of hands (one person can only do a certain amount of work, etc., at one time: used when someone is asked or expected to do too much at once) I can't answer the telephone and look after the baby at the same time - I've only got one pair of hands, you knowl mayi?darj yidbah far%a wouldn’t harm/hurt a fly (very gentle: of a person that seems or is believed to be violent or dangerous) Don't be afraid of him - he wouldn't harm a fly.
101 - Is that what you call dinner? It was just a trifle to keep the appetite at bay - I'm still hungry. masah ... c » min £ala wijj id-dinya wipe someone, something off the face of the earth (to destroy someone completely) The earthquake that hit the nearby village last summer wiped it off the face of the earth. misik ilmasruuf hold the purse strings (to control the amount of money spent in a family, group, etc.) When my husband is away I have to hold the purse strings in our family. misik fi ... bideelu Ait-j aL-L» wisnaanu hold onto something like grim death (to hold on to something in a determined manner) When John finally got a job, he held onto it like grim death. He had been without one for almost a year. musmt/wr guha bur an excuse for keeping one’s foot in the door (a false reason for gaining entrance into an organization, group, activity, etc., especially one into which such entrance is difficult to obtain) / reluctantly agreed that Jim would put his TV antenna on the roof of my house, and ever since he has taken it as an excuse to keep his foot in the door; he's already visited me three times in a week. i ° * misiir ilhayy yitlaa?a as I live and breathe! (an expression of surprise, said especially when one has met or recognized someone whom one has not seen for a long time) mar-га tsiib (^*-i J**) °®у wimar-ra tyjib you can’t win them all (one cannot be lucky or successful all the time: said by or to a person who has suffered a disappointment, failure, etc.) The food at that restaurant is usually very good, but last night it was almost uneatable. You can't win them all. ?ilmarkib il-li twad-di ! tp good riddance! (used to show that one is pleased that a person or thing is no longer present or will no longer annoy one) That friend of yours who talks all the time has just left - good riddance! mazaagu mi?aryif a» out of sorts (not in one's usual healthy or good-tempered state of mind) I won't come out tonight, thank you. I'm feeling out of sorts. masah bi ... il?z/rd wipe the floor with someone (to beat a person completely; defeat or be much better than someone) - Do you really think we will win the football match on Friday? - Yes, we'll wipe the floor with them. » • * • , , masah guu/ li ... curry favour with someone (to try to gain the approval of a person by behaving too politely towards him or flattering him, especially insincerely) She's trying to curry favour with the boss, but it won't do. The sweetest words can't move him. mas-h zoor jjj a trifle to keep the appetite at bay (a little bite eaten to prevent hunger until one is able to sit down for a big meal) - How did you like the dinner?
102 [refers to the free handing out of food to the public during times of hardship] Many people these days are on the breadline because they can hardly catch up with the price increases. mij nazil-li min zoor jjj Jjb stick in one’s throat (to be difficult to accept or tolerate) It sticks in my throat to have to take orders from a man who once worked for me. mij wiJJ ni^ma not cut out for the soft life (to find it difficult to accept a style of life one is not used to, especially when one rises above one's class through the acquisition of wealth) Although he bought each of his sons a big car, he still rides his old motorbike. It seems he's not cut out for the soft life. majyiiul lijuftu up to one’s ears (wholly concerned with something, especially something troubling, work, business, or debt) The secretary was up to her ears addressing and stamping letters. 9, „ 9 * , mi Ji zayy ilhalaawa sell like hot cakes (to be bought or taken quickly, e.g. because of being very popular or cheap) Pop records are selling like hot cakes these days. mi Ji ^s-sirt/t/l ilmustaqiim keep to the straight and narrow (to follow a way of life governed by careful moral principles, especially of honesty) The police were surprised that such a trustworthy man, who had kept to the straight and narrow all his life, had done such a thing. Why, it's Bill, as I live and breathe! mif gaayib ham-mu -ил there’s more kicks than halfpence (to possess, receive, etc., more pain than profit, more blame or abuse than praise or thanks) There's more kicks than halfpence in editing a collection of contemporary verse. I'll never do it again. mij ^ayza kalaam it goes without saying (to be understood and needing to be mentioned or proved) It goes without saying that Damascus is the oldest city in the world. mij yariib ^alay-ya ring a bell (to cause an indefinite memory to come into someone's mind; remind someone of something) - Do you remember David Jones? - Well, the name rings a bell, but I can’t quite think who he is. agreed without mij ?aadir yijiil £inee min £ala... can’t take one’s eyes off someone (to be very attracted to someone) She was very pretty - men couldn't take their eyes off her. mij kull J**) (U— таг-га tislam ig-g^r-n/ don’t push your luck (said to someone who takes foolish risks, or does something that can only succeed if his good luck continues) - Did the boss know I was late again today? - No, because he was late too, but don't push your luck. mij laa?i il-L/dr/ on the breadline (in or into a condition where one has hardly enough money to buy one's food) I 1
‘gLfe J‘gUS уч >glX 103 (to be badly hurt; physically unhealthy, especially after a long period of illness; very tired) Tired is not the word; there isn't a sound bone left in me -1 need a week's rest. mafiij J**) jt? halaawa min yecr nut/r you cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs [saying] (it is impossible to do anything without causing some kind of difficulty or discomfort) mafiij ^t/mt/t/r there's no love lost (there is great dislike) It's well known that there's no love lost between them, so it would be silly to invite them both to our party. mafiij fayda no go (impossible; not satisfactory; of no use) I've tried in every hotel in town to get a room, but it’s no go - they are all full. mafiij nr/giib no dice (no luck: used when refusing to do something one is asked to do or saying one has failed to do something) - Will you be able to come to my wedding next Saturday? - Sorry, John, no dice, I'm going away at the weekend. makad-dibj %r/K/r without pausing for thought (to act without delay, if somewhat blindly) Without pausing for thought I went off to the co-op to buy two chickens as soon as I heard they had some for sale. 9 9 О /9 9 $ , 9 # } 9 ft , Ji*) ^\Jlb JjAjJ mikas-sah yigurr mikas-sah wiy?uul yal-la nitfas-safa the blind leading the blind [saying] miji fiz-zahma pass in a crowd (of a person or thing: to be satisfactory only so long as he or it is not examined too closely) Of course she's no beauty but I suppose she'll pass in a crowd. mastfriinu karkibit C-S*/ have butterflies in one’s tummy (to feel nervous, anxious, etc., especially when waiting for something) I had butterflies in my tummy when I went to see my boss this morning. mostzayib J**) fizakaayib it never rains but pours [saying] (when troubles or unwelcome events happen they do not come singly, but arrive in great quantity) muslihafandi a Mrs Grundy (a person who disapproves of people whose behaviour is not in accordance with customary morals) [from a character in Speed the Plough (1798), a play by Tom Morton] We've got a Mrs Grundy in the office now, so not a word about tonight's party in front of him. ma£a ... ^al/r/Ц Ja>Jl я» on the same wavelength (understanding each other; having similar opinions or tastes to another person) [refers to finding the correct place on the controls of a radio to receive the desired programme] The new general was not on the same wavelength as the other commanders, and he was in danger of ruining their plans. ma^atj fii hit-ta £ala br/^dt/hc/ there isn’t a sound bone left
104 min btzr-ra bur-ш on the sly/quiet (secretly) He left for the States on the sly and no-one knew about it till a month later when he wrote us a letter. min bizz um-mu j>. j* straight from the horse’s mouth (from the person most closely concerned with the subject being discussed) She believed what the neighbours said her husband had done because she heard it straight from the horse's mouth. min bu?-?ak libaab Ulj' ddX ja is-sama from your lips (may God make your wish come true; I hope to God you obtain what you want: used to emphasize a wish or hope which the speaker believes its fulfillment is unlike- ly) - They say we are going to get an extra raise next month. - From your lips! « a , о min taht is-silaah С-л? ja risen from the ranks (of a person who has obtained a high position in an organization, especially in the army, after long experience in lower positions rather than through special favour) He was a fine general who had risen from the ranks. min taht litaht ja out of the corner of one’s eye (in a secretive way; so as not to be noticed) I kept looking at the girl out of the corner of my eye; I was glad my wife did not notice it. min loob К/сД у J* of a sort/sorts (of the same type) The old lady and her husband have been (the situation in which people without adequate knowledge or experience attempt to direct or guide others like themselves, with the consequence that neither group can help the other or be helped) » о • b . » °,- makjuuf ^an-nu ujbvJl ilhigaab a clairvoyant (a person who has or claims to have, the power of seeing or knowing about things that are out of sight) The clairvoyant claimed to be able to locate lost articles, and to give news of faraway people. malik wal-la kitaaba V j lilt# heads or tails? (which side of the coin will be shown when it falls after being thrown in the air?) mala markazu в у live up to one’s position (to act according to the dictates of one's job; do what is expected or promised) Don't be silly and live up to your position; you're the manager now. min ?ay-yaam ig-ginee J* ig-gibs since the year dot (since the beginning of time: often used humorously to mean a long time ago) I laughed when she said she liked my new coat and explained that I had had it since the year dot. о t » a a min ?ay-yaam say-yidna *у ja nuuh out of the ark (very old) [refers to Noah's Ark in the Bible, in which two of every sort of animal were saved from a great flood; therefore out of the ark means existing from the earliest times] That song is out of the ark. Even my grandfather can remember when he first heard it.
105 (to leave a place or a social occasion without obtaining permission or saying good-bye) [refers to a former custom of leaving a social occasion without saying good-bye to the host or hostess. The English believed that the custom was French, while the French spoke of it as an English custom] Many of the guests took French leave to go to the football match. min yeer basbasa 4—-—j ja but me no buts (do not offer any objections or modifications to what I have said, ordered, etc.) - I've already seen it; it does not apply to us - But Mr. Collins ... - But me no buts, you just take it round to the others. min ?afaa ja by the scruff of the neck (to hold, grab, seize, etc., someone by gripping the back of his neck: always in context of violent or aggressive behaviour) He seized Smith by the scruff of the neck and kicked him out. min nafs il^agiina •цля]' ja tarred with the same brush (of a group of people: having the same characteristics, especially the same faults) I dislike politicians of all parties. As far as I am concerned - they're all tarred with the same brush; they simply will not tell the public the truth. s , • » manaxiiru fis-sama о with one s nose in the air (in a proud or scornful manner) Since she won prize at school she’s been going about with her nose in the air and refusing to talk to the other girls happily married for 50 years now, and I believe this is because they are of a sort. a fa. о S f a min guw-wa ?albu in one’s heart of hearts (in the deepest part of one's mind or feelings) My husband is attractive to women, and although I know in my heart of hearts that he has never been unfaithul, I still feel wildly jealous when I see him with other women. min %aaf silim J**) ja better safe than sorry [saying] (it is wiser to be careful or to take care in advance than to risk loss, danger, etc., in the course of an action) min dimaayu apUo ja off one’s own bat (without asking for the help, advice, permission, etc., of any other person) He is no more than an ordinary civil servant, and what he wrote in the report was off his own bat. min lisalaamu Ibib ja ^aleeku chapter and verse (complete details or a careful and exact description of a statement, where something can be found, etc.) You must give me chapter and verse for what had happened. Don't leave out a thing. min £ara? gibiini J* J* by the sweat of one’s brow (through hard work or effort) I don't have any rich relations who will leave me money when they die. Whatever I get in life, I'll have to earn by the sweat of my brow. min yeer ?ihim wala У J (♦*’! j-P drzstuur take French leave
106 • $ x я Л о 4 » > b » 3X2 aJ .иллЗ' * rotgut we drank last night. O % О J 9 $ maw-wit... nr/<v?is ^iimr drive someone to an early grave (to cause someone distress, or put him under pressure and stress so that he feels he is going to die while still young or before his due time) Why do you want to run away from home? What did I do to deserve a son like you? You're driving me to an early grave. 0 9 9 A muut ya hni<wr b you have to wait donkey’s years (to wait for a very long time) If you're looking for a cheap flat in this crowded city, you have to wait donkey's years. miin yi?ra wimiin V 'jA» & yisma£ who gives a damn? (whoever cares? used to express the speaker's disapproval of other people's indifference) Everyday people are warned not to leave young children at home by themselves, but who gives a damn? ?ilmc/y-ya (</?*-• J**) tikad-dib ilyaHz/tfS the proof of the pudding is in the eating [saying] (the real worth of any idea, machine, etc., is discovered only when it is put into practice or use) may-ya min taht tibn Сл j* а-л a snake in the grass (a person with harmful intentions who is not easily recognizable; a hidden enemy) Don't be deceived by their friendliness - the two older ones may be trustworthy, but the younger brother is a real snake in the grass. ?ilmanxul jAiJI ig-gidiid ki /ad-da a new broom sweeps clean [saying] (a person who has just been put in charge of an organization will always start with great vigour to make many changes to improve its effectiveness) Most of the decisions made by the new manager were not approved of by the board of directors, but he was a new broom and was determined to put them into practice. о £ £ Л 0^9, mzmzr/r уirudd ir-rooh * jJ* a sight for sore eyes (a pleasant or welcome sight, e.g. during difficult time or situation) The men had been away for quite a while; when they came back and saw their wives and children at the airport, it was a sight for sore eyes. mrznzaru da ад lose face (to lose the respect or good opinion that others have of one; be made humble) She lost face when she got drunk last night and started to take her clothes off in front of everybody, й у 9 4 9^ manfuux ^bbdl L C be full of oneself (to think and talk about nothing but oneself; consider oneself to be very important, clever, etc.) She was always very unsure of her ability but since she did well in the examination she has been full of herself. man?uu^ ilbt/rc/tiij jb» rotgut (cheap whisky; bad or adulterated liquor) I'm not going to that pub again; I'm sure they have nothing better to offer than that
107 hands for a year now, not taking any notice of the people's complaints. nataf il?akla wolf/gulp down the food (to eat greedily or ravenously) The starving man wolfed down the food. nagda mis-sama U—JI оДл) manna from heaven (something that comes unexpectedly and that gives great comfort or encouragement, often at a time of trouble) [from the Bible (Exodus 16:15), referring to the food which the Israelites found on their journey out of Egypt) Both sides were losing hope of reaching agreement when the government made a very helpful suggestion that was manna from heaven. nigmu fit-taal£ «JUaJl in the ascendant (with growing power, influence, control, etc.) [refers to a planet that is rising and is believed to have a powerful influence on events] After the election, our polittcal party was once again in the ascendant. Л " о а , nadrin ^alay-ya OjAi [to vow to offer (food or money) to the poor or a charitable cause if a wish or prayer is fulfilled] I vow (to do so-and-so) (to make a solemn promise) I vow to distribute meat to the poor if I pass the exam. nizil <;alee sahm rzl-ltz aUI sit bolt upright (of a person: to sit straight or without bending, especially when taken by surprise) When he heard how much his bill was, he sat bolt upright. naam zayy il?atiil sleep like a log (to sleep deeply) I asked him if he'd heard the siren. 'I didn't,' he said, 'I was sleeping like a log.' naam namit ^aleek ! dXJp heeld hit the hay/sack (lie down to sleep; go to bed) [beds were formerly filled with hay (cut and dried grass) or made from the same material as sacks (bags)] Hey you, are you still awake? Go hit the hay - we've got a lot of work to do in the morning. О / 0 x / namusiitak kuhli ! [namusiy-ya is a mosquito-net, especially one hanging over a bed. When the colour of the net is dark, e.g. kuhli (dark blue) it is likely to reduce the amount of daylight which can find its way through the very small holes in the net, and therefore the person sleeping won't be disturbed very early in the morning] you late riser! (said to someone who gets up late from sleep) You late riser! We were supposed to be at the airport an hour ago? naayim fil^asal J— sitting on one’s hands (to be doing nothing; be inactive or inattentive) The government has been sitting on its
aJji jjJ JjAi 108 g-'J1 J* nafasu it?uk/£, А-Д out of breath (unable to breathe easily because one has been running, working hard, trying to make a strong physical effort, etc.) I'm out of breath after running up the stairs. nifsu masduuda 4—Ju be/go off one’s food/oats (to be without/lose one's appetite) I'm worried about Keith; he's been off his oats for a week now, feels tired after a long night's sleep and looks as pale as the full moon. nifsu haf-fitu ^ala ... аДа а~Д have a yen for something (to desire sharply or urgently) She was driving into the country when she had a yen for ice-cream; she stopped at the nearest supermarket and bought herself a big cone. { о Я 9 ntzf-fad giyuub ... take someone to the cleaners (to cause someone to lose all or a great deal of his money, etc., especially through betting or failing in business) His lawyer took him to the cleaners and now he can hardly afford to keep his family. па?-?а[па biskaatak ! Uliii put a sock in it! (keep quiet! stop talking) - / heard a good joke yesterday. - Oh, put a sock in it! I'm tired of your silly jokes. nu?uul ioor yi?uul jjj JjAj ihlibuu be at cross-purposes (to misunderstand each other's intentions, ideas, etc., especially because of not paying attention to what is being said) We seem to be at cross-purposes. I need your sister's signature on the form, not yours. nr/J-Jtzr yasiilu ilwisix aU-^ wash one’s dirty linen in public (to reveal and talk about one's hidden faults, mistakes, etc., in public) His whole family were ashamed when he washed his dirty linen in public by selling the story of his crimes to the newspapers. naj-jif damm ... chill someone’s blood (to cause someone too feel great distress, fear, or terror) The terrible news in the letter chilled my blood. nafjin £ala ... JlAi draw a bead on someone (to choose someone as one's object of attention) There was a large crowd at the party, but he drew a bead on me as soon as he came in and talked to me all night. nafax fi?irba тя?Ши^я A£ 4j у waste one’s breath (to speak without effect, especially when one is trying to persuade someone of something) You're wasting your breath if you think she's going to agree to go with you. nafxa kad-daaba айдГ АлД airs and graces (affected manners intended to give an impression of fastidious refinement but producing an opposite effect on the observer) She's kind-hearted enough once you get behind all her airs and graces. nafad bigildu а Дли лД save one’s skin (to escape from a danger, e.g. of being killed or hurt or of failing to do something) The witness lied before the court to save his own skin.
109 is not too small to be of some use; each gift, however small, will eventually add up to a large total) - I'm sorry we could only let you have one. - Every little helps. naw-war k/rii? ... у J? jy put/set someone right (to cause someone to realize his mistakes, incorrect beliefs, etc., by informing him of the truth about a matter) I thought his mother had died, but fortunately I met someone who'd seen her that morning in the hospital and he put me right before I sent off my letter of sympathy. ninn ^ecn ... the apple of someone’s eye (a person who is most dear to the person specified) [apple here originally meant the pupil of the eye; the idiom was used to refer to someone who was as important to a person as his own eyes] Bob is the apple of his mother's eye; She can hardly go anywhere without him. nawaaya tisnid J5*) Al'j* iz-ziir every little helps [saying] (even though something that one has done for, or given to someone, may be small, it
? LiaJl 110 »« , „ »i , ham-mu ^ala br/lnu <ua think only of one’s belly (to be interested only in satisfying one's appetite for food) He thinks only of his belly; when he was reading through the programme for the conference, the only item that meant a lot to him was the dinner party. huw-wana ?aa^id ^ala U' bank money doesn’t grow on trees [saying] (money is neither plentiful nor easily obtained) / won't give you one more penny - you've already taken two thousand pounds, and I hope you know that money doesn't grow on trees. hawaahum gayy £ala Jom y* b</gj hit it off together perfectly (of two or more people: to get along well together; agree) Joan and Peter hit it off together perfectly. I think they are going to make a good couple. » >t о f i hiy-ya ?ab^adiy-yit abuuk V ^a [?ab^adiy-ya is a large agricultural estate] is it yours by exclusive right? (said to someone who behaves as if the thing mentioned were his own property) You've been giving orders and instructions to everyone in the office since you came in this morning. Is the company yours by exclusive right? hiy-ya id-dinya lur/rit V LjjJl ^a what’s the rush/hurry? (there is plenty of time) - Do something about getting us out of here. - What's the hurry? The weather is beautiful? ht/rr ЬошЬго aj jA shit bricks (to be very anxious or worried) He was shitting bricks while his wife was having her first baby. hara winakat finafsu jA eat one’s heart out (to be very sad or distressed about something, e.g. because of being in love) My young son is eating his heart out over a girl who lives just down the street. hazz tulu J jb ja shake a leg (to hurry; try to do something faster) Shake a leg there! We'll never finish if you don't hurry up. haf-fit... rimj cJa flutter one’s eyelashes at someone (of a woman: to show a man, especially by the way she looks at him, that she finds him attractive) At the dinner she fluttered her eyelashes at the man sitting at the next table. hall bikvl^itu ilbahiy-ya 1л darken someone’s door(s) (to come into a person's house as a visitor: used especially when this is not desired, e.g. because the visitor has offended or annoyed those who live in the house) He said he would be darkening our doors this afternoon; I'm not staying to meet him, are you?
111 someone else, must be satisfied with what he can get) - You won't sleep very well on this couch, Alan. - It's all right. Beggars can't be choosers. hiy-ya Jihaata wi?mrwra beggars can’t be choosers [saying] (a person who has insufficient money to do exactly what he likes, or who depends on
112 him you won't be going and that's that. wal-laahi £aal ! «dJlj what a fine mess! (used to describe a state of affairs that is confused, difficult, different from expected, etc., and therefore the word fine is used here to indicate the opposite of what it means, i.e. the situation is rather distressing) He left the kitchen window open. When he came back from work, he found at least a dozen cats and dogs fighting in the house. 'What a fine mess!,' he said. wal-to faalih ! what a wise guy! (used to describe a person who pretends to know more than he really does) What a wise guy, Mr. Bloggs! -1 asked you to send the letter to our branch in Ohio, not to the Internal Revenue Agency. Now they are going to charge us double tax. wr/l-kz lam-ma tibiid ! U j not on your life ! (certainly not! used as an emphatic negative reply to a question) - Would you ever marry this girl? - Not on your life! winta £ala ? CJ'j rigleek na?J ilhin-na what did your last servant die of? (used in reply to someone who has just asked one to do something that one thinks he should do for himself) - Go and make me a cup of tea, will you? - What did your last servant die of? 9 X О 9 $ > o winta lis-sa filbeeck/ AJa-J' ej CJlj when you were just a twinkle in your father’s eye (a long time ago; long before the birth of the person who is being addressed or talked about) You think you know everything, but this idea was discovered when you were just a wil?agr ^<zk/l-k/ ! everyone knows me, him, her, etc. (a set phrase used to boast of a reputation) I'm Boss Dodger, everyone knows me! waxidha mi?awla JjIaa hold the floor (to monopolize something uninterruptedly) There were three other speakers who wanted to address the audience, but Mr. Black held the floor. » i * „ в wawdih zayy ij-jams as plain as the nose on your face (very easy to understand; clear) It's as plain as the nose on your face. If we haven't got any money, we can't buy a television. waa?i£ lifujtu have got it badly (to be very much in love with someone) - Steve's always had plenty of girl-friends, but it's different this time. - Got it badly, has he? • i wil-lazi min-nu and all that jazz (and similar things; and so forth; et cetera) The movie was filled with kissing and hugging and all that jazz. wis-salaam and that’s that (and there is no more to be done or said on the subject) I can't understand why you're so nervous. All you have to do is telephone him and tell
,.4 х S La Lai Ц-i j 113 jir (once something is done, arranged satisfactorily everything is or will be all right, nothing more will need to be done) It's quite simple, really. Turn this knob to the right, press the red button, switch on - and Bob's your uncle. wijJ id-dinya the right side ot the tracks (the wealthy part of the community or society) She had an important advantage in life; she was born on the right side of the tracks. wij-jak wal-lal dXij long time no see! (said to someone whom the speaker has not seen or met for a long time) Why, Simon, long time no see! Where have you been all this time? • xx • • i wij-ju it?alab become cross (to be in bad temper; peevish) she's become cross since I burned the cake for her. , ,» о i wij-ju itlawa jbl J pull a long face (to have a serious, discouraged, or unhappy expression on one's face) My wife pulled a long face when I told her we're not going out for dinner. wij-ju yiZjzzc, C-Jl f e il%amiira milbeet a jinx on the house (a person or a thing that brings bad luck) That black cat is a jinx on the house. wij-jaha zayy ?afaaha IaUs j be as broad as it is long (of a matter: to be just the same or end with the same result whichever way one acts or considers it) The whole thing's as broad as it's long. If you go to Spain to buy cheaper leather twinkle in your father's eye. waga^ J**) > Vrj saa^a wala kull saa^a better bad now than worse later [saying] (it is better to endure, or deal with, something painful or unpleasant immediately, if by not doing so the situation will only get worse and even more difficult to handle) widn min din J* Oi j j jij wiwidn min ^agiin turn a deaf ear (to refuse to listen to something, especially a request) The angry customer asked to see the manager; when she was allowed into his office, he turned a deaf ear to her complaint. widi ^ayza su?aal ! JlоJjIx j can a duck swim? (said in answer to a question which the speaker thinks is foolish or unnecessary because, from his point of view, it allows only the answer 'yes') - Can I fill your glass again? - Can a duck swim? ыагаа koom lahm (^ have many mouths to feed (to have many people, especially children, requiring food and / or general support as a personal responsibility) Poor Adams, he's many mouths to feed. war-riini kitaafak ! JpjP let me see the back of you! (go away! said to someone whom the speaker wants to get rid of because his presence is no longer welcome) You've taken what belongs to you, haven't you? Now, let me see the back of you! wisalaamu ^Ч-Jl Xlx ^aleeku ^aleeku is-salaam (and) Bob's your uncle
114 fall on someone’s lot (to be a person's duty or responsibility to do something) / had known him for a long time, so it fell to my lot to tell him the bad news about his son. wi?i£ min ^ak-kursi j roll in the aisles (of an audience: to be greatly amused; laugh uncontrollably) They were rolling in the aisles at his jokes. wi?if ^ala гаа& ... be on someone’s back (annoying or causing trouble to a person, especially by frequently complaining to or watching him) I can hardly take a break to drink tea - my boss is always on my back. wi?if ^ala riglee 4-br j land on one’s feet (to be fortunate or successful after being in an uncertain or risky situation; escape hardship) [refers to the way a cat lands on its feet when it falls from a height] After losing all his money, he never gave up; he worked even harder than he used to until he could land on his feet again. wikalt ilbalah scrap market (a place where old or discarded metal fit only to be melted and used again is for sale) Your car is very old, so the only place where you can sell it is the scrap market. wakaan td-laa j yihibb ilmuhsiniin [from the Qur'an: ?al-laahu yuhib-bul muhsiniin (Allah loveth those who are kind), which is the final clause in five different ?aayat 'verses' (II : 2, III : 134, 148; V : 13, 93), and therefore is often cited with goods, you have to pay tax on them. You might as well not go at all. i . ' • • ' wi^eenak matjuuf jjJl uJ UJ U J il-la an-nuur Io and behold (used as a humorous expression at the sudden appearance of a person or thing) So I went to the door, and. Io and behold, there was a giant dog on the doorstep. wifccn yiwga^ak jj jrjSj get someone where he lives (to hurt, threaten, criticize, or ridicule someone in ways that he is specially sensitive to, that will particularly hurt or displease him) He's been fooling around with my sister since he joined the club, but last week I got him where he lives, and he hasn't shown since then. wi?aamit il?iyaama ! aaLaII and all hell broke loose! (everything has become completely confused, noisy, etc.) And all hell broke loose in the city when the soldiers arrived. wi?i^ fijtzrr ?a^maalu be hoist by one’s own petard (to be caught or hurt by the trap that one has set for someone else) [from Shakespeare's Hamlet (1604). Hamlet: 'For'tis the sport to have the engineer/ Hoist with his own petard ...' (Act 3, scene 4). A petard was a machine used in war to make a hole in a city wall or gate by blowing it up with gunpowder. Hoist here probably means blown up] The criminal was hoist by his own petard when he tried to kill his wife, because he accidentally drank the poison that he intended to give to her. wi?i£ fi?arabiiz ... [‘? arabiiz’ is lap: the part between waist and knees of a person when sitting]
115 * 11) Zj > never seems to be listening - he's just all abroad. wala yihzanuun f4 J [from the Qur'an: fa/a /awfun ^alayhim wala humm yahzanuun (On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve), which is a no(t) ... nor structure constituting a correlative pair, negating two clauses conjoined by and. This structure is repeated 13 times in different contexts and therefore is often cited with an idiomatic meaning equivalent to the English one shown below] nor anything of the sort (not at all what is supposed, probable, etc.) I thought she made the remark out of jealousy, but I later discovered it hadn't been jealousy nor anything of the sort. wilis-sa lik £een ? J do you still have the cheek/gall? (said to someone who keeps on behaving with shameless boldness after having been offensive, wrong, etc.) You've already spoiled everything - do you still have the cheek to tell me how the job should be done? an idiomatic meaning equivalent 'to the English one shown below] and that was the end of the line (the point at which something comes to an end) [refers to the end of a railway line; the last stop made by a train] When they asked me to speak in Spanish for five minutes, I gave them my name, my address and that was the end of the line. wala fil?ahlaam J beyond one’s wildest dreams (in a way that is very much greater than one expected, than one could possibly expect, etc.) And so ended a remarkably successful visit - successful beyond my wildest dreams. wala mal-liim ahmar not have a red cent (to have no money at all: be extremely poor) I'm sorry, I can't lend you anything - I haven't got a red cent myself. wala huw-wa hina La jA j all abroad (confused and unable to understand) When you talk to him about anything, he
! 4-лЬ U 116 !UbbUll (an expression of admiration) Aren't you a beauty! You'll be the star of tonight's party. ya iswid ! b bloody hell! (a mild curse or exclamation of anger, annoyance, or surprise) Bloody hell! Who do think you are to take something that doesn't belong to you? ya%ti ^aleeha ! l$-U ^^b how cute! (an informal mode of address by a woman to a woman expressing admiration) How cute! Where do you get your dresses made? ya Xaraabi ! b dear me! woe is me! (an exclamation of dismay or despair) Dear me! I'm late again for the test - what am I to do now? ya %ibtak il?awiy-ya ! b what a dead loss you are! (an expression of anger addressed to a person who is hopelessly bad, boring, or ineffective) What a dead loss you are! This is the third time this week you've burnt the food in the oven. dJbjy l* Ц5aLaJI jru ya daaxil been ilbt/sala J**) wi?ijrit-ha maynuubak il-la sczn-nil-hr/ why don’t you mind your own business? (do not interfere in or become concerned with other people's affairs) What is it to you whether he chooses to marry Betty or not? Why don't you mind your own business? ya dahya du?-?i ! <ьлЬ b now we re for it! (now we are in trouble!) Now we're for it! Mrs. Baker saw us leaning on her piano. ya baaja ya baaja !lib b lib b how pretty! (a flirtatious remark to a woman in the street) ya bagam ya ganam ! b b you dumb ox! (a form of address to someone who is slow in understanding; stupid) what are you doing, you dumb ox? You've broken the window. ya bani ?aadam ! f41 ’i you brute, thickhead! (a form of address to someone who is dull of intellect) You brute, thickhead! What are we going to offer the guests when you've eaten all the food in the fridge? ya gaah in-nabi ! ebr b oh, wow, isn’t that something! (an exclamation, as of surprise, joy, or dismay) - Oh, wow, isn't that something! - What is it? - The paper says there's one baby born every 22 seconds. ya garbling ! b you trashy good-for-nothing! (a form of address to someone who is worthless) Get out of my house, you trashy good-for-nothing! ya gamaal in-nabi ! JU?- I aren’t you a beauty!
Ju JSTL 117 (I'm very well; I'm in a satisfactory condition: used to show that one does not care about other people but only about oneself; indifferent to others) Indifferent though we may be to starvation elsewhere, I'm all right. Jack is not the right response. ya £eenak ya gabayrak ! JjA-fr b *J~^b what a nerve you’ve got! (an expression of disapproval of a person who is characterized by rude boldness) What a nerve you've got! How dare you claim you're a friend of mine? ya fat-taah ya ^aliim ! b * bi b what a start to the day! (the day is ruined for me! said in exasperation when things go wrong in the morning or at the sight of someone who is believed to bring trouble or bad luck) There comes John, what a start to the day! It's too early for trouble, о s ya farhiti ! / b big deal! (used by a speaker who thinks that a statement he has just heard is silly or not important) -1 earned 50 pounds this month. - Big deal! You won't grow rich on that much money these days. ya ?aatil ya ma?tuul J j=^®b Jili b do or die (to make a brave and often hopeless effort to obtain one's aim or purpose) The general warned the soldiers that it would be do or die in their next attack. ya kibdi ^aleek ikJ-U b you poor little thing! (an expression of concern) You poor little thing! You're seriously hurt. $ » t yaakul maal in-nabi JU would sell one’s own grandmother ya diin in-nabi ! jp b what bedlam! (a wild exclamation of surprise, as of noisy confusion) What bedlam! What's this uproar in the gym? ya simm ! b how horrid! (a remark used by women and children to refer to something unpleasant, or to a subject of envy) She ... an actress? How horrid! ya taabit yatneen ^uur ! b [[aabit comes from laab, a game for two players with stone counters and four strips of palm branch, each strip having one green and one white side; the strips are thrown against a vertical surface and the various combinations of green and white govern the movement of the stones on a grid drawn in the dust. ?itneen tuur is a throw in the game that neither wins nor loses. The idiom therefore refers to a neutral action, an action without effect on an outcomel double or quits! (let the final bet be for the amount of money now owed, i.e. so that, as a result, the present loser will either pay twice his present debts or win them back and so be equal with the present winner. This suggestion thus offers a loser the chance of winning back his losses) ya camm ruuh ! * jj b get away with you (don't try to deceive me!; I don't believe you! Used in answer to a statement that the speaker believes is foolish or untrue) -1 have no money left. - Get away with you! We only got paid yesterday. ya£amm wana maali blj b I’m all right, Jack
118 - For goodness sake, it's early days yet to be talking like that! 9 99^0^ ^^.9 уit-hc/tt ^ag-garh yiliib Залл all sweetness and light (pleasant, good-tempered) He's usually all sweetness and light, but today he's being angry with everyone in the office. yihlif ^almizy-ya -ил5 <uj I tigmad swear black is white (to be willing to do or say anything in order to get what one wants) He wants that job very much, and he'll swear black is white to get it. yid-di J**) Obj % ilhala? lil-il bila widaan the devil looks after his own [saying] (success, good fortune, etc., comes to those who least deserve it) ’ ’ ’ > -'° yisra? ik-kuhl rnil^een would do someone in the eye (to cheat or trick a person without being noticed) You'd better be very careful - the people selling clothes in the market would do you in the eye. yislam bu?-?ak ! djX (fum-mak) well said/spoken! (speaking well, fittingly, or pleasingly; polite in speech) Well said, Mary! Your speech was so touching. yis^tzb ^ak-kaafir jilSl £ wring someone’s withers (to cause someone to feel great pity or sympathy) [refers to a horse that is suffering because the saddle does not fit and is hurting the horse's back] (of a greedy, unscrupulous person: to be willing to do anything to gain money or personal profit without regard for what is morally right) To my surprise, they appointed him as guardian to the orphans, and they know he'd sell his own grandmother. ytzl-L/ nafsi every man for himself (a situation of danger in which each person must take care of himself and look after his own concerns) When the captain shouted, 'danger', it was every man for himself. yaama L da?-?it fyr-raas tubuul I’ve seen them all [saying] (all the separate things and persons referred to are so alike that one needs to see only one of them to know what the others are like) ya musah-hil ! *® b here goes’ (used when the speaker is about to test something or do something that is difficult, bold or unpleasant) - I've mended the starter. Try the engine now. - All right. Here goes! yanhour t/byr/d ! Jo-A good grief! (an exclamation of alarm or surprise: often used for humorous effect) Good grief! I've never seen something like this before. yahana min yi^iij J* ba b early days yet (it is rather too soon to come to conclusions about, or to pass judgements on, a situation that has still to develop) - I'm beginning to think that I shall never be a grandmother.
^7»- 119 [children were frequently kept busy in activities that were not worthwhile like gathering wool from hedges where sheep had passed] Let them go about their woolgathering - everyone else is working hard for a better career. yi?la^ ... wisniinu ‘Чг—’J *^4! to hell with something (I, we, etc., do not care about a thing) To hell with the office - I've got a birthday party. yi?uum min J* nu?ra yu?a^ fiduhdecra out of the frying pan into the fire (from a bad situation to one that is worse) He was suffering from loneliness before he got married, but now I'd say he'd jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. yil^ab bilbcedt/ wilhtfgttr adroit (having or showing skill in using the mind; resourceful in reaching one's objective; having or showing skill in the use of the hands or the body) Adroit as he is, he did not impress her at all. yumhil wala yuhmil the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small [saying] (the proper punishments for a actions may be delayed, but certain in the end to be delivered) person's they are yihri wiyifri toss and turn 0 9 A? (of a person: to move restlessly with sudden twists because of worry) He couldn't sleep and was tossing and turning all night because he was worried about his job. The sight of the small children all asking for food was enough to wring your withers. yidrob wiylaa?i be good at thrust and parry (to be vigorous at exchanging opinions and ideas) The general election needs someone who is good at thrust and parry. yidrab (yi/bt/t) yi?lib (Дгл,) all anyhow (extremely untidy) She rushes off to college and leaves her room all anyhow. yitlac; miin bisalamtu ? who’s he/she when he/she’s at home? (used to ask for an explanation of who the person just mentioned is) - We're going to see a film with John Winterton in it. - John Winterton? Who's he when he's at home? yiyra? fifibr mr/y-yrz «м can’t punch one’s way out of a paper bag (to be very weak; lacking in strength, power, or determination) He often tells us what a good worker he was, but according to someone who knew him at the time he couldn't punch his way out of a paper bag. yifhamha wihiy-ya tayra OjjU? quick on the uptake (very quick to understand or learn anything new) He is quite a clever child and has always been quick on the uptake, so I am sure that he will do well at school. yi?af-far basal J-a jJJb woolgather (to do nothing of great value; indulge in idle imagining or daydreaming)
120 be$r and skittles. yoom yi^lambu rab-bimz bj <4 <U*j one of those days (a day on which nothing goes right) I had one of those days - the car broke down, the washing machine went wrong, the children tramped over the clean kitchen floor. yiigi min-nu show promise (to give indication of; give hope of; give ground for expectation of) Betty has a beautiful voice and shows promise of being a great singer. yiwad-diik dJLojj ilbahr wiygiibak twist someone round one's little finger (to have the ability to persuade a person to do exactly as one wants) She'll have no problem getting permission to go on holiday - she can twist the boss round her little finger. yoom £asal wiyoom J-aj b<7S</l not all beer and skittles (not consisting completely of pleasure, happiness, enjoyment, etc.) - I've been feeling very fed up lately. - Take things easy for a while. Life is not all I